Help me choose Parasound or McCormack

Did some research, the vk500 seems incredible. But it's way beyond my budget. A 2 channel ss amp for less than $1k is about all I can afford.

I have had a number of amps in my system. Audio Research, B&K, MFA, Atma-Sphere, Odyssey, Krell and McCormack. Atma-Sphere is my favorite but at the time heat was a factor. The Odyssey I tried because I was setting it up in a friends system. Purchased off of Audiogon for about $700.I was very impressed. I have McCormack DNA-1s in my system. Mono blocked upgraded to the Platinum level with the Plitron transformers. These DNA-1s are better at imaging and have better tonality. The Odyssey was just as good if not perhaps a hair better than my DNA-1s when it comes to dynamics. The Odyssey was very quiet just like my DNA-1s.I do not remember what I have invested in the DNA-1s guessing about $5,000. I do not remember what model Odyssey it was. It was a stereo amp all of 50 pounds. Very nice looking. Blue logo light. Very nice binding post for speaker connections. I'm sure you would be happy with an Odyssey amp. The Odyssey amp I heard will deliver satisfying music in very very expensive systems.

The SE version has some board mods and power supply mods. Mine has 180k cap upgrades, and some resistor changes as well on the ckt boards.

My big Phase techs are pretty hungry units and drop to 2 ohms... the OS SE has no issues what so ever driving them.

I've run the sE on all of my speakers except my Sonata IIIs and can't wait to see what happens there.

I've a bit more than the $1100 figure for the monos you mentioned in my own SE model, and would only think about moving up to the Extreme monos were I to move up the food chain with Odyssey.

The BAT VK500 Wbat PK IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET A VK500!

I've seen them go from 1600 on up. averaging about 2K +/-. Mine was just before the end of the 500's production run and only a couple more were ever made. If you do want to Look for one I'd recommend one made late in the lines run... my serial # was 537. From the investigations I amde calling BAT about when a model was made, it seems they ran off about 25 or so a year... more or less. Call BAT for info on any prospective unit you might want and they'll clue you in on it's history and/or it's mfg date.

Now and then I regret ever selling mine, however there are lots of fine amps out there. The Odyssey line up is worth investigating and performs well above it's cost. Change the power cord right off though.

lastly, Klaus offers upgrades and updates... and even trade in allowances on moving up the chain, so you could just get in where you fit in and press onward or upward as you are able.

I've used the McCormack DNA 0.5 Deluxe Edition with several speakers. It has a smooth, open and non-fatiguing sound. Also, it's been very reliable.

Good luck in finding the one that's right for you.