2. amps-preamps
  3. 1268489027

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.
edorr
chatta
314 posts
 
Bel canto tend to have more natural and dynamic range...ambience. Great music resolution that makes you feel like "you are there" and also i made some minor mods to it.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,819 posts
 
You'll have a hybrid sound that should be pretty darn nice I would think.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I replaced an Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono (not the Extreme version), with a pair of the original Bel Canto 1000's. Obviously I preferred the Bel Cantos or I would not have done it (I got to audition both before deciding). This goes back a few years now...I would have been using Silverline Sonatinas or SR17's. You might cross check previous posts as I might have commented on differences then and that would be more accurate than my memory of it. I believe the principal advantages I was hearing was a purity of midrange (greater clarity), as well as better extension up top...a bit better sparkle in the highs. Down low I think they both did a fine job, and I might have given the edge to the Odyssey. The Bel Cantos rendered a blacker background so had an audibly (or not so audibly) lower noise floor. I seem to recall feeling the Odyssey had a bit of warmth in comparison, while the Bel Canto was more neutral and linear. This was all 2-channel. These were certainly both fine options and I don't think the preference would necessarily be universal. Obviously, YMMV. I've only heard the Mk. III Bel Cantos at CES and liked what I heard but could not compare to what I had. Obviously the idea is they've improved it.

Hope that helps.
More to discover