The Odyssey Audio Candela

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Is bigger than my amp...

Im just sayin...

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I guess yall need pics...

I know I know - the Shanling deserves a lil better view and space! I AGREE!

However, the Candela is 1" - yes, 1" wider than my amp and it looks really funky on top of my amp. I can't put the amp on top of it for obvious reasons.

The remote is really dinky - no big deal, however the unit itself has an anodized silver aluminum finish all over the entire unit... WBT output jacks

A stout preamp, through and through and sounds amazing - even out of the box...

Once I get the Stratos, Candela will most likely go down in the rack on top of the Stratos...

[appadv]

Nice! Did you get my email?

[appadv]

Once I get the Stratos, Candela will most likely go down in the rack on top of the Stratos...

I wouldn't recommend that, as the amp will get hot.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Not the Stratos...

Stratos has an enclosed top and massive heat sinks on the exterior of the amp (sides)

And No, I did not.

http://www.acdc.com.tw/equipment/amp/odyssey_stratos_front_s.gif

[appadv]

Okay, I understand. Since the Stratos dissipates heat from the sides you should be okay.

Weird - I don't know if it's my firewall or something else. I'll try again.

[dbnh]

I used to have a Stratos with cap upgrade, and it never even ran warm. I now own Odyssey Extreme Monos, and they have a slight warmth to them all the time, doesn't seem to get any warmer even with heavy use. YMMV.

[Ricardo]

Eveything is coming slowly together for a great rig. Congrats.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the comments.

Everything is coming together a lil faster than planned - kind of. Klaus has been a huge help and very trusting. Great guy through and through and cant recomend his products enough.

Cant wait to get the Stratos.

[halo]

Stunning man. Simply stunning. You done real good bro.

[engtaz]

It's pretty and matches your other equipment LOL Congrats

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Thanks guys

[fatchowmein]

Sid,
If you get a chance, would you give us a review? Why did you go with Odyssey Audio? What were you using before? Likes? Dislikes?

Thx

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Its kind of hard to decide what made what difference in my latest upgrade.

Reason is - this upgrade I did the following...

1) Added acoustic panels...
2) changed the tubes on my CDp
3) Received the Candela

With this in mind, I can comment on what did change however. With the idea that acoustic panels can only alter the sound so much.

Right off the bat, no warm up and no burn in. the Candela is far more refined and seperated than my previous rpeamp (B&K PT5) - instruments have a "body" and depth. Everytime is extremely distinguishable.

And like every upgrade Ive done in audio - drums sound better and better. They have alot of depth and resonance and sound authorative and large. Something always lacking.

I dunno man - I dont know what to tell ya. The B&K PT5 was no slouch, but the Odyssey is a good 2 or 3 steps ahead of it.

Why did I go with Odyssey? Well Sean (Zero) recomended them to me. I always had thought they were out of my price range...but I checked them out and found it possible (since alot of their products are not listed on their site).

All of their units are top notch stuff, extremely overbuilt and robust. the Candela is a beast, anodized finish all over - extremely thick case. Aluminum knobs, whole nine yards. Just extremely impressive build. All the units are built as you order them. Fresh off the lot is an understatement...

With a 20 year warranty and top notch customer service - cant go wrong.

[fatchowmein]

Sweet. Thx for the quick reply.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

No problem...

If I had any complaints about this unit...

1) They have not developed a manual for this unit yet
2) Its wider than the Khartago
3) Its remote is very DINKY

[RuSsMaN]

A. Turn it on, start twisting knobs - you don't need a manual.

2. And? What's a Khartago, a breed of Rhino in Africa?

D. Does it function, and do what it is supposed to do? Maybe you would have preferred to pay $300 more for something milled or billet?

Now, do you want some tubes for it or not?

Cheers,
Russ

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

The Khartago is my amp by Odyssey - and the Candela is wider than it, makes no sense...

I like to have manuals - just for resale purposes.

There wasnt an option for a better remote, but I will most likely get a universal remote before long - so all is well....

And yes, I still want tubes for it. You are the best Russ, thanks.

[W WALDECKER]

No problem...

If I had any complaints about this unit...

1) They have not developed a manual for this unit yet
2) Its wider than the Khartago
3) Its remote is very DINKY Hey Vr3,if you Ask Klaus nicely he may swap Your little black plastic remote control for a Silver Aluminum Symphonic Line remote. the Candela case is the same width as the Stratos case. i really like the Solid Aluminum remote for my BAT VK 3i but the only problem is that the Candela easily outperforms the VK 3i. the lettering on the front and back of the Candela is pretty self explanatory as far as controls and functions. all that he sent to me with mine was a remote control and a spec sheet.my favorite tubes to run in the Candela are the Amperex Holland ECC186/7316 " D" getter White logo PQ's. Enjoy ;) ....WCW III

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

A spec sheet would of been better than -nothing- ;) (You get my point?)

Thats cool, as long as the stratos is the same width...

The preamp though is amazing...

[appadv]

So what exactly is on the "dinky" remote control? I would imagine source, volume, and tone controls (I would set them flat) but other than that why so bad?

I would recommend a universal, programmable (macro enabled) remote. Makes life a lot easier.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

What are tone controls? LOL

This unit has no tone controls...

Source control is "Get-Off-Your-Rear Beta 1.01"

Only thing on the remote is volume. Thats it.

The remote itself is black plastic - has enough holes for 20 or so odd buttons, only two buttons filled with grey rubber buttons. The 18 or so odd empty holes have black "foam" filling their voids.

Its very dinky and unimpressive for such a component.

However, as mentioned - a Uni remote is in my future... lol

[Dennis Gardner]

Looks great, Trey!!

You may want to wipe those silver brushed units down before your prints sink into the finish. Somethin' in your skin-oils will definately do damage before you know it.

[george daniel]

Trey,, pm your addy, I've got a little something for that Candela :)

[appadv]

What are tone controls?



They are those little knobs that allow you to adjust treble and bass. haha

Since you don't have them, I guess they are already "flat."

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I wiped the units down after I took the pictures and saw the prints...

PM will be headed your way shortly George.

[steveinaz]

Very nice setup Sid.

[W WALDECKER]

The 12AU7 Valves are the Tone Controls :) ....WCW III

[Shizelbs]

Very impressive.

Do you even try to show off your system to your peers? I would imagine its all beyond them and over their heads.

[AndyGwis]

Do you even try to show off your system to your peers? I would imagine its all beyond them and over their heads.

Agreed. I'm 26 and my friends all think I'm nuts. My friend asked me to help him put together a system for $600 - $700. I told him that would be a good amount for the receiver, and he freaked out.

Great system, though, despite what the masses might say about your (and our collective) sanity.

[dbnh]

Da Rig -
Mains - Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u
Amplifier - Odyssey Audio Khartago (Soon to be Odyssey Audio Stratos Extreme)
Preamp - Odyssey Audio Candela
CD Player - Shanling CDT100A

You might want to call Klaus, cancel the Stratos Extreme, and instead just go for the Extreme Monos. Admit it, you're going that route anyway...:D

On a milder note, I used to own a cap-upgrade Statos. When I changed over to the Extreme Monos, I was blown away at the effortlessness of the monos; my SDA 1Cs never sounded so good. When I subsequently moved to dedicated 20A lines, the Extremes could strut their stuff even more (as could the rest of the system); again, the SDA 1Cs never sounded so good. I feel Klaus' gear (as I imagine most gear), improves as the power to it improves.

YMMV. FYI - wouldn't mind hearing a Candela, but wish Klaus would make the Candela preamp with a phono section (like the Tempest).

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I rarely demo my system to my friends - when I do, I usually crank the subs a lil more than normal and rattle their teeth - because thats what they know...

But, very few respect fine audio. Without a doubt.

Thanks for all the comments. Im excited about it - best system Ive had in here by far.

[appadv]

I rarely demo my system to my friends - when I do, I usually crank the subs a lil more than normal and rattle their teeth - because thats what they know...

But, very few respect fine audio. Without a doubt.

Thanks for all the comments. Im excited about it - best system Ive had in here by far.

Yep. All I remember your system sounded like was a huge earthquake. Was I one of "the few"?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

My current setup is a lil different - I have far easier accessible subwoofer controls now and can tailor it to my music and ht preferences easilly.

[appadv]

Nice. I remembered your SVS sub - although it was a very good subwoofer, it sounded like a constant earthquake or thunder...I prefer more musical subs.

[appadv]

Trey,

I really like that preamp. Does it have an HT bypass?

BTW, you have a PM.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Yes it has a HT by.

[appadv]

Nice. So you will be well prepared if you get an HT preamp, say, an Outlaw 990 or so.