Odyssey Stratos, Khartago, Cyclops, Tempest, Candela product families User Manual

Users Manual

For Odyssey

Stratos, Khartago, Cyclops, Tempest, Candela product families.

Lorelei and Epiphony II speakers

A brief history and a short philosophical take:

Rolf Gemein can easily be described as one of the true high end audio pioneers. As early as the
mid – 70’s, he experimented with then revolutionary design aspects such as different internal
cables, different types of solders, the influence of resonance control in the amplifier chassis, etc.

In 1979, Rolf started Symphonic Line with the intention of being solely responsible for the quest of
the perfect musical “illusion “. In the years since, his incredible ear and most importantly, his
tweaking and tuning abilities and complete devotion to music, produced phenomenal international
successes as born out by dozens of product - of- the-year, consumer, and best - at - show awards.

A common practice of many high end manufacturer, due mainly to increased profitability, is to
change their products every year. Unfortunately, too many fellow manufacturer are using this
marketing and sales technique, which is inherently unfair to the consumers. On the other hand,
Rolf Gemein’s relentless pursuit of excellence and his philosophical approach of “evolutionary
maturing processes” of his designs produced truly world - class products such as the classic RG 1
and the Kraft Reference series of amplifiers, Die Erleuchtung tube preamplifier, and the RG 8 Gold
Cartridge, all being hailed as the very best in the US, Europe, and Asia alike.

Odyssey Design Group, the US importer / distributor of Symphonic Line works very closely
together with Germany in design and production. Together, we created the Odyssey Project 2
Series, a new line of products designed by Symphonic Line in Germany, and build here in the US.
When we created Odyssey, we knew that we had something very special. After all, the Odyssey
designs were pure Symphonic Line’s, to be seen as the “little brothers” of the RG’s or Kraft
Reference’s. hi listening to the Odyssey products, you will immediately notice the familiar
smoothness, quickness, and tonality, that have become the hallmark sound signatures of
Symphonic Line.

What was really different, however, was the fact that due to several factors such as extremely
compact production designs, US based manufacturing, very reasonable profit margins, and pure
luck in finding some incredibly reasonable and at the same time enthusiastic suppliers, we were
able to achieve an unbelievable price / performance factor of our products.

We achieved all of our goals, which are:

- to become the value leader in the true high end market

- to offer one of the very best service and upgrade policies in the business

- to share our passion for music instead of audiophile and spectacular effects

- exclusive use of top - quality parts of high reliability

- being able to offer the same value in our next products.

Especially on the quality and value issues, we’ll be able to offer:

- the measuring, selecting, and matching of all output devices

- heavy machining throughout, use of metals only, and no plastics

- no silk screening, but only engraving

- hand - soldering of all contacts, with best available silver solder

- in - house metal finishing, and the exclusive use of anodizing processes

- three - level quality control at test points at 24 hrs /48 hrs burn - in, and small individual
listening tests before shipping on all electronics

We are very confident that the phenomenal performance, dedication, value, craftsmanship,
and service of Symphonic Line and Odyssey will create new standards in the high end
industry. We truly believe that ultimately Rolf Gemein’s lifelong obsession and work created
something that your soul will love very much. Happy listening, and enjoy.

Before operating your Odyssey unit,
please take the time and carefully
read all safety instructions and the
entire owner's manual.

You'll be given not only information
about safety concerns and technical
specifications, but also advice as how
to optimize your system sonically, as
well as information of our efforts to
create the single best value in the
high end audio market today.

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing a product from Odyssey Designs.

Your Odyssey unit has been designed by Symphonic Line in Germany. In 1979, Rolf Gemein
started Symphonic Line with the intention of creating the perfect musical “illusion”. In the years
since, his incredible talents and complete devotion to music produced phenomenal international
successes as borne out by dozens of product - of- the - year, consumer, and best - at - show
awards.

Countless hours were spent in developing an extremely sophisticated circuitry that is a “world class
high end performer”, and due to its compact design, very inexpensive to manufacture. Your
Odyssey product is very unique in this regard, and it provides the best possible value in audio
today.

We are confident that the performance, dedication, value, craftsmanship, and service support
given to Odyssey products will create new standards in the high end industry. We truly believe that
Rolf’ Gemein’s lifelong obsession and work has created something that your soul will love very
much.

Happy listening, and enjoy.

Safety Instructions

1. Casework: Do not operate the unit without the outer casework, internal electrical voltages
of the unit may cause serious injuries

2. Fuses: Do not bypass any fuse in the unit. Only replace the fuses with the same type and
ratings.

3. Power Requirements: An audiophile quality power cord with a three - prong plug is
included with your Odyssey unit. To prevent shock hazards, do not defeat the grounding plug. If
you have to use extension cords, make sure that cord / or outlets have a sufficient current of at
least 10 amps.

4. Ventilation and Temperature: Due to extensive measures in selecting the best possible
cooling devices, your Odyssey’s case temperature at full loads is extremely low for a high biased
solid state unit. The temperature is only slightly above room temperature, and thus, not too much
ventilation space is needed. The unit can be positioned even in small spaces.

5. Repairs: If a problem occurs with your Odyssey unit, do not attempt to repair it yourself.
Instead, contact Odyssey Designs your Odyssey distributor for repair services.

Quality Information

The trademark of Odyssey and Symphonic Line products is uncompromising ultra – high end
performance. Manual assembly and exclusive hand - soldering on all contacts surely enhances the
performance aspect. Your Odyssey product has been mostly hand -made. This aspect of the
manufacturing process is very expensive and time consuming, but ultimately, yields the best
possible returns in high performance sound qualities.

However, with manual labor comes the added danger of human errors. Together with the possibility
that electrical parts can always fail at any moment, regardless of parts model, quality, or
manufacturer “this is simply the nature of the (electrical) beast”, one can easily see why quality
control becomes even more important.

This is why we at Odyssey Designs see the quality control aspect as being so important. From the
very beginning, we made sure that all of our designs and parts are proven and reliable.

Lastly, we implemented a “three stage” quality control program. Nearly all problems related to
either faulty contacts or parts will become obvious within the first hours of operation. Thus, after
completion, each unit is moved into a “bum-in” room, where the electronics idle for at least 48 hrs.
Within this time span, all units are measured and biased twice. Finally, after 48 hrs, every piece
undergoes an individual distortion listening check. Throughout this “QC” process, each unit is
tracked according to its serial #.

Furthermore, each step of quality control is signed - off by the technician within this owner’s
manual.

Unpacking

Please inspect your unit immediately for any possible shipping damages. Pay special attention to
the glass inserts within the front plate. They should inspected for any cracks. Immediately report
any damage to your authorized Odyssey dealer, the shipping company, or Odyssey Design Group.

Please keep the shipping materials in a safe place for possible future reuse.

Location

1. Your Odyssey unit can be installed on a shelf, table, or equipment stand. Since the Tempest
weighs in at around 35 lbs. and the Stratos at around 50 lbs, please check the strength of
your surface material. The more stable and sturdier your surface is, the better resonances
and vibrations are controlled, which also results in better performance of your stereo
system. If preferred, you can also locate the amplifier on the floor. Due to the very effective
Audio Selection damping feet, pretty much all surfaces, wood, tile, carpet, etc. are
acceptable.

2. Due to the efficient design of the heatsinks of the amplifier, there is no need for a large
ventilation area around your Odyssey unit. Both, the Tempest and the Stratos can be
situated in tight areas.

3. DO NOT install your Odyssey product in an excessively hot or humid place.

4. This product is for indoor use only.

Set-Up

1. After positioning your Odyssey unit in the desired location, connect the supplied AC power
cord into the AC receptacle. Make sure, that the AC cord is properly grounded. DO NOT
defeat the grounding pin on the AC plug.

2. Caution: Make sure that your unit is turned off before connecting input and and
output wires. Always remember to turn off your unit whenever you connect or
disconnect any cables within your system. Depending on connected electronics and
cables, there is always a chance that your unit could be damaged if these
precautions aren’t taken.

3. Next, connect the RCA interconnect cables into the matching RCA input connectors. For
the amplifier, connect the cables from the loudspeakers into the speaker - binding posts on
the back of the amplifier. These solid and heavy, gold-plated connectors are designed to
accomodate either bare wires, spades, or banana plugs.

Tempest preamplifier connection to Stratos Stereo power amplifier
Stratos Stereo power amplifier connection to Tempest preamplifier

Tempest preamplifier connection to Stratos Mono power amplifier
Stratos Mono power amplifier connection to Tempest preamplifier