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Changed amplifiers and need some feedback...

First the details. My current 3 year old system is system is entry level as I am in the audiophile world.
Speakers: I built the Jim Holtz Mini-Statements
Pre-amplifier: Transcendent Sound; Grounded Grid, Mullard 12AU7 tubes
Amp: NAD 326BEE (using pre inputs)
Music source mostly Spotify through Sonos Connect
DAC: Rega Dac R (a recent addition with nice improvement)
CD Player: Onkyo C-7030
Listening room is 16'x16', 9' ceiling with more open space to the rear.

So I decided it's time to upgrade my NAD integrated and look for a pure amplifier.  Purchased a used Odyssey Khartago Extreme stereo amp.  I am the 4th owner as far as I can tell.  Talked with Klaus before I bought and he verified its upgrades via the serial number.  The Khartago arrives and I remove the NAD form the system.  My sample music was Melody Gardot, Sarah Jaroz, Dire Straits, Patricia Barber and the Cars.  My first impression of the Khartago was "what's wrong!"  Something didn't sound right.  It sounded really really airy.  Bass was subdued.  Details were there but it all sounded so different.  Checked polarity of all connections.  All good.

With my original system, vocals were smack dab in the middle of the speakers, as if the singer was standing there.  Instruments were spread between the speakers and I could point to each instrument.  Now, I understand I've listened to the current system for 3 years, of course it's going to sound different.  But the Khartago seems to sound like it has an enhanced spatial effect turned on.  The bass sounds like it's almost in my ears, the vocals are not square in the middle, they're floating in a wide space.  When listening to Drive, by the Cars the bass was very present and powerful with the NAD.  It got lost with the Khartago, it was quiet and seemed to be coming from all directions.  At times I looked at my rear surround speaker as if sound was coming from them!  Just really strange.  If I had to chose this moment I'd stay with my NAD.

So, I'm hoping someone can shed some light on what's happening.  Perhaps there's a problem with the Khartago.  Maybe that's why I'm the 4th owner in 3 years or so.  I did talk to Klaus briefly and he felt it was presenting the music as it was intended.  Maybe?   Is the Khartago a very airy amp by design?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

jeff
jfmerk
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lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Sounds like a phase issue. How are your rear speakers wired into a 2 channel system? 
I suggest starting with the front speakers only to get the stereo imaging correct. If it sounds off, try reversing the L and R leads on one speaker only.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@lowrider57   +1  definitely sounds like something is wired out of phase
2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,557 posts
 
To be honest, I had a Stratos, a Tempest and a Candela. They were terrible audio components. I had spurious noise, hum and other low level noise. Klaus was very, very slow in communication. It took over a year and he bought the gear back from me at a much reduced cost. His attitude was very arrogant, he stated my problems were my ac?? not his gear?? I lost bigtime! I gotta be truthful, this was a bad audio year for me when I got into Odyssey Audio. They do have many happy customers though..... In fact, there is someone on audiocircle.com right now who is having the same noise issues with his preamp that I had with mine.

jfmerk OP
20 posts
 
Lowrider57, my music only system is just a two channel stereo.  I have a HT system in the same room and made the reference to the rear surrounds, but only to help describe what I was hearing.  But, I too thought I should try reversing polarity on a speaker.  I'll give it a try.  Thanks.
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