Looking to upgrade From my Odyssey Mono extremes

10-22-09: Jeffb28451
If by "glass ceiling", you mean you're going to have to go into seriously diminishing returns, you're right.

Actually, I think the "Glass Ceiling" is the top upgrade/mod option that Klaus offers for the Odyssey Extremes. It's not listed on the website, but I have seen it referred to in reviews and posts on forums.

wow,

this thread has taken an unexpected turn!

I posted looking for odyssey amp comparisons to other amps in an under 5k price range and come back this morning to find people recommending me new speakers!

That is fine, but I do believe that I want to keep my speakers and all of my other associated gear. I would, however, like to UPGRADE the amps. not downgrade.

does anyone have any first hand experience in comparing the odyssey against the DNA250/MC352/neo250?

Thanks!

Johnzm
"so i would like something that can actually outperform my current amps."

Maybe the above recommendations are due to half a dozen other Odysey owners saying Odysseys aren't bright.... and just maybe, they're trying to save you from spending money needlessly.

Buy the manley. it's more different than the Mac is from the odyssey.

Better than the Odyssey monos?
Butler Audio
BAT vk 500 w/BAT pack
Thor PA 30, MONO BLOCKS
Dodd 120 MK II monos
McIntosh MC 402
Krell FPB 200

... ALL ARE UNDER $5k AND ALL EXCEED THE ODYSSEY MONOS .... to my ears... OVERALL.... depending upon speakers, cabling, etc. RWV.

Have you ever tried tube amps in your system before? Odyssey are pretty good SS amps. I doubt you would get that much more bang for your buck going to another SS. You may want to veer a whole different direction and try a tube amp. Completely different sound that you might like. It only took one tube amp in my system before I got rid of all my SS gear. Tubes won't give you the bottom slam that SS will but that liquid midrange can be addictive. For a decent powered push pull tube amp I like models using the EL-34's. Of course, if you have extremely efficient speakers, low powered SET are in a completely different league, IMO. Good luck.

Along the same lines that Sibelius has suggested, I'll throw my two cents in. I used AES (Cary) Sixpac amps for a couple years. They are EL34 output tube based and pretty darn good amps. I wanted to try a different amp, more specifically, a SS amp just to see what else was out there. I bought a pair of Odyssey Mono Extremes on Audiogon. I spent several weeks A/B comparing the Odysseys to my Sixpacs and decided to keep the Odysseys. After several months with the Odysseys, they just sounded dry in comparison to my Sixpacs and I longed for what tubes did for me. I ended up selling the Odysseys and buying another pair of Sixpacs. Your mileage may vary, but if you're looking for a different sound, you may be well served trying out some tubes. I didn't study all the advice that you've received above, so I hope I'm on topic for you. Good luck with your search.