milesjr
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Odyssey Audio/ McCormack/ Bryston ?
Elk
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I am not familiar with the Odyssey amps, so no comment on these.

The McCormack DNA-225 is a delicious amp out of the box, very well reviewed by the audio press. See, for example, Stereophile Review

Steve McCormack is absolutely legit and can indeed make one of his designs even better.

The Bryston is also a superb amp - excellent sound, robust, wonderful support by a superb company.

Both of these are excellent choices.

KBK
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A point about The Odyssey Mono Extreme amps: They appear on Audiogon and disappear quite quickly. That should explain enough. Klaus also sells direct, one of the earlier guys to convert to that model. This means the price nears half of anyone else's stuff, for what's in the box. This means, when the amps are sold second hand, people drop the price to lower than that...which makes them an outright steal. Klaus's pricing puts him in direct competition with anything out of China on a $/lb. & Watt/lb level.

I will say I solidly support Brick and Mortar stores, but Klaus, whom I like, has gone a different way.

milesjr
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Thanks Elk, thats my feeling on the McCormack DNA-225 as well and the thought that Steve would be doing the upgrades If I choose Is fantastic.

The Bryston 4bst or sst are decent amps. I heard the 4bsst with my gear sometime ago. But Im wondering If there are better deals out there.

Thanks KBK
I seen Odyssey amps on Audiogon for next to nothing and the price threw me. So Im left with the question, Is Odyssey making great amps for the money or great amps period. It's putting It In context you might say. For example Nad makes great gear for the money but they dont compre to Sim Audio.

Elk
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I am always a bit concerned when I see a product relatively available used for little money. The question is: why?

Consider Benchmark DACs. They are available used. However, the used price is not much less than new; everyone knows and agrees these are excellent products.

As I indicated, I know nothing of Odyssey amps. Yet I have to ask why used units are readily available so cheaply.

OTOH, from my cursory review of the web it appears many are delighted with them.

KBK
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I have to extremely careful as I am in the business on both the video side and audio side. I make products that can be used by manufacturer's of projectors, installers, etc, and amplifier, CD player, DAC, and phono manufacturer's etc. I simply don't need to be indulging in judgement calls in public. Read my above statements clearly. Head off to the AudioCircle forum,and engage some folks in the Odyssey product area and get their opinion and a handle on how they listen, and what they listen through. Same can be done for Bryston, at the same site. Steve McCormack, for example, I sent him an email a few years ago thanking him for largely making pure SS amps (his custom shop) the way I would, if I was making them. I know both Jim Tanner and Klaus from the shows and store visits, so you can imagine it's a pretty darned tough minefield to tread.

Elk
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Very fair and well stated.

It appears to me that the OP has narrowed his choices down to some excellent options.

milesjr
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Thanks for you guys help. I'll be sure to go to AudioCircle. I must say Im leaning towards Odyssey Audio. Although the shipping charges from the U.S. to Canada have me bothered. So much for free trade.

bifcake
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Let us know how the Odyssey amps sound if you decide to go that route.

milesjr
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Sure will, but It will be a while.

KBK
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Quote:
Sure will, but It will be a while.

Reminds me of a story.

Jim goes into the Dounut shop one day..and asks, "Do you have any day-olds?".

"No", says the girl at the counter. "We have many fresh ones", she says, and and looks at him expectantly.

Jim looks at her and says, 'That's OK, I'll wait". And just stands there.

We'll be waiting for your report.

milesjr
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Ya ok I get It I generally do a lot of reserch before I buy any gear especially when there Is no chance of an audition. I don't have a lot of money so a bad buy on my part can't happen.

Elk
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Good plan.

Also, be sure to buy for a source that will let you return it if you simply don't like the piece.

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