Odyssey Audio Epiphony II Loudspeaker Review

We had an Epiphany. We aren't going to get anything from audio. You may.

Let's take the Stratos Monos by Odyssey Audio of Klaus Bunge. Why is The Absolute Sound recommending them, and not the Sanders Magtech 500W amplifier (only $5500.00 USD), or to be literal, the Sanders Magtech 1600W monoblock amplifiers (just $11,000.00 USD / pair)?

At 180 watts, while that's about the 60 we recommend, that's a long way off 500, and 20 shy of the typical.

180 degrees is a nice number. That's about-face. But why would anyone want worse circuit boards or components than specified by Symphonic Line, or "premium" for that matter?

The Symphonic Line which TAS references is only $14,000.00 USD after all.

• $2,700 USD (pair)
• 1 x 180 Watts RMS @ 8 Ohms (each)
• 2 Ohm load stable
• Class A/AB
• 1 - 600,000 Hz frequency range
• 120,000µF memory (each)
• 120 amps current delivery
• <0.04% THD (not audible)
• >800 continuous damping factor
• Input impedance 22K ohms
• DC offset <1 mV
• RCA & XLR (bridged) inputs
• 400 VA Plitron transformer (each)
• Sanken Epitaxial Planar Transistors 2SA1216 & 2SC2922
• Anti vibration dual thickness PCB
• Power consumption when idle ±30Watts
• 4 internal fuses 250V/6.3A, 5x20mm, fast blow
• Additional electrical protection fuse
• >56 lbs weight / 25.4 kg
• Dimensions: 19 width x 18 deep x 7 height (in) /
  48.3 width x 45.7 deep x 17.8 height (cm)

Well, we like the specs. The dimensions of 19 and 18 are sexy, and 7 is lucky. 180 watts isn't a lot, but it sounds interesting as it raises the hope it will get you there.

We're talking about Nirvana after all, and there is nothing not to like about Symphonic Line or Jason and the Argonauts for that matter.

Whether TAS is fleecing you by telling you you can get away with $2700.00 USD for an amp, we will not say. Solution may be your Buldge.
Let's look at the photos, now.

It's embarrassing to even be looking at the Stratos How something held together with a rubber band can be a solution. The coil is ok. It's embarrassing how poorly cut and placed bits of ... are placed over the caps. In the past, our hi fi salesman would place pennies, quaters, and dimes over the caps in his CD player. What benefit would they provide? What would happen if they fell and bridged a connection? We like the blue, and note the Rotel quality of the PCB board material.

.
Just look at how poorly the case is mounted. Ok, how the transistors are mounted to the case, to provide a heat sink, but also how the rear and sides of the case are attached. Look at the poor quality of the metal cuts. Like a child applying a band-aid. Look at how the transformer is screwed-through. So cheap. Nothing set on top.


We like the roundness of the front panel.

Now onto the back. Ghastly. Look at the cheapness of the power rocker. You'll find it on the wost sort of $9.99 power bar. Can you believe how poorly the labeling has been done? It's almost as if cut-out magnets have been screen-printed and applied to the case. Look at the poor IEC. Ok. It's all right. Now the poorly placed Gold serial badge. And the in-opportune placement of the Left Channel label. What a terrible font. Is this a literary device, or a power amplifier? We like the font on the "for ... owner" LABEL.

That's what it comes down to. Do you like to be catered for? If so, like the TAS writers, you will feel honoured to have an amplifier made for you, regardless of the quality. Like a parent accepting a painting from a child, you will feel happy by this collage of material.
JP 2015/03/15
www.hifiart.ca
But really. Not the cheapitude of the Odyssey inset.