Low frequency rsponse is less of a concern for my center channel, which is all about vocals/midrange. I have been convinced by these comments it is worth a try blending amps - keep the heavy monsters for front L/R and inserting a bel canto mono into the center, and may be a bel canto stereo for surrounds at some point in the future. It may work out very well in fact.
Bel Canto verrsus Odyssey Stratos
I am currently using a Odyssey Audio Stratus 3HT 3 channel amp for my Center and Surround channels. I use the top of the line Odyssey Kismet monos for front R/L. I will soon be upgrading my L/R amps to some real high end pure class A monos. Logic dicates I should upgrading my 3 channel amp to keep the system balanced. There are a two considerations. First, I am mainly concerned with my center channel. Second, I do not have space for two separate big ass amps.
One option is to get the center board of my Stratos upgraded. However, there is a 2nd option I am considering.
Get the Bel Canto Ref 1000MKII for center, and get the 300S for my surround channels. This would fit nicely on a single shelf in my rack. The strenght of the Bel Cantos is in the midrange I understand, which would work real well for my center channel. Before doing this, i want to understand two things.
A - Is there any risk of the "sonic signature" of the Bel Cantos being so fundamentally different from what I am planning to get for Fronn L/R that this setup will screw up the balance of my system (I will be using pure class A amp for R/L)
B- How do the Bel Cantos compare to the Stratos? Has anyone ever compared the two. The stratos 3 channel version is the same as the standard 2 channel (with the extra channel), so a comparison in 2 channel setup sufficse.
Before I forget, I am using Revel Studios for R/L and a Kef 204c for center channel.
Thanks for any input on this.
One option is to get the center board of my Stratos upgraded. However, there is a 2nd option I am considering.
Get the Bel Canto Ref 1000MKII for center, and get the 300S for my surround channels. This would fit nicely on a single shelf in my rack. The strenght of the Bel Cantos is in the midrange I understand, which would work real well for my center channel. Before doing this, i want to understand two things.
A - Is there any risk of the "sonic signature" of the Bel Cantos being so fundamentally different from what I am planning to get for Fronn L/R that this setup will screw up the balance of my system (I will be using pure class A amp for R/L)
B- How do the Bel Cantos compare to the Stratos? Has anyone ever compared the two. The stratos 3 channel version is the same as the standard 2 channel (with the extra channel), so a comparison in 2 channel setup sufficse.
Before I forget, I am using Revel Studios for R/L and a Kef 204c for center channel.
Thanks for any input on this.