The Path to Paradise . . . or the Road to Ruin?

[Audiophile Bill]

He likes everything about the speakers except finds them a bit bright. His first criteria is transparency for vocals which they have, but he is very sensitive to brightness

Oh okay. He could balance that out with judicious choice of cartridge, loading, and valve preamp.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Oh okay. He could balance that out with judicious choice of cartridge, loading, and valve preamp.

I appreciate that thought, but I already tried it. I also auditioned the 101E Mk II on a friend's system playing vinyl and driven by tubes. My brightness issue was ameliorated partially, but not completely.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I appreciate that thought, but I already tried it. I also auditioned the 101E Mk II on a friend's system playing vinyl and driven by tubes. My brightness issue was ameliorated partially, but not completely.

Shame that, Ron. Those massive MBLs not the 101Es could have provided a gargantuan soundstage for you

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Shame that, Ron. Those massive MBLs not the 101Es could have provided a gargantuan soundstage for you

Think they are 101 extreme's or something like that.

 

[bonzo75]

Ron, look at the video again. It is Greg barons mooks that are making the difference

 

[Ron Resnick]

Shame that, Ron. Those massive MBLs not the 101Es could have provided a gargantuan soundstage for you

I agree, Bill. But wouldn't two of those tweeters on each side make my brightness issue worse?

Do you not find the MBL 101E Mk II a bit bright?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Ron, look at the video again. It is Greg barons mooks that are making the difference

1) Don't Mook me!

2) I am a huge fan of Greg Beron, both personally and professionally.

3) I am sure Greg's all-MBL system sounds fantastic.

 

[GaryProtein]

Shame that, Ron. Those massive MBLs not the 101Es could have provided a gargantuan soundstage for you

Think they are 101 extreme's or something like that.

I never heard the 101 Extremes, but a friend of mine has the 101's driven by Spectral, and they just don't play with majesty.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I never heard the 101 Extremes, but a friend of mine has the 101's driven by Spectral, and they just don't play with majesty.

That is interesting, Gary. I greatly respect and admire Spectral components, but Spectral is not what I would think to use to drive MBLs.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I agree, Bill. But wouldn't two of those tweeters on each side make my brightness issue worse?

Do you not find the MBL 101E Mk II a bit bright?

I have not heard the 101E extensively enough, Ron. Just at shows tbh for 10 mins or so as I drop in and out of a room.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

That is interesting, Gary. I greatly respect and admire Spectral components, but Spectral is not what I would think to use to drive MBLs.

I am with you, Ron from the short bursts of MBL that I heard. Just feel that something a touch warmer, darker and more full might synergise better with the MBL for my taste. Failing that, a super smooth and relaxing front end. Thinking Koetsu cartridge or DAC with valve output stage and smooth.

 

[Purite Audio]

Not the largest MBL's ,
http://www.stereophile.com/content/...-loudspeaker-measurements#pItdzxEfIyjBe9fQ.97

Keith

 

[nc42acc]

I have heard Gregs system and it is spectacular. Gregs system is one of the best I have ever heard. And Greg is a really nice guy too.

1) Don't Mook me!

2) I am a huge fan of Greg Beron, both personally and professionally.

3) I am sure Greg's all-MBL system sounds fantastic.

 

[bonzo75]

I am with you, Ron from the short bursts of MBL that I heard. Just feel that something a touch warmer, darker and more full might synergise better with the MBL for my taste. Failing that, a super smooth and relaxing front end. Thinking Koetsu cartridge or DAC with valve output stage and smooth.

Spectral amp is much better than the MBL 9011 on the MBL to muy ears. I have also heard ypsilon integrated which was very good. But spectral vs 9011 was a direct AB and it was better on all clients of tone, stage, speed, dynamics, smoothness.

 

[Purite Audio]

Spectral amp is much better than the MBL 9011 on the MBL. I have also heard ypsilon integrated which was very good. But spectral vs 9011 was a direct AB and it was better on all clients of tone, stage, speed, dynamics, smoothness.

Wow ,you would imagine that MBL could design an amplifier suitable for their own loudspeaker, who'd have thunk!
Keith.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I am with you, Ron from the short bursts of MBL that I heard. Just feel that something a touch warmer, darker and more full might synergise better with the MBL for my taste. Failing that, a super smooth and relaxing front end. Thinking Koetsu cartridge or DAC with valve output stage and smooth.

I agree on all points. But that is just my personal, subjective preference.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Spectral amp is much better than the MBL 9011 on the MBL to muy ears. I have also heard ypsilon integrated which was very good. But spectral vs 9011 was a direct AB and it was better on all clients of tone, stage, speed, dynamics, smoothness.

That is very interesting, Bonzo. Speed and dynamics I understand because those are two attributes for which Spectral is rightly famous and respected.

 

[bonzo75]

That is very interesting, Bonzo. Speed and dynamics I understand because those are two attributes for which Spectral is rightly famous and respected.

That's a perception based on to the fact you don't like SS

They are excellent, really. Cab they compare to a hybrid or valve, dunno. With a koetsu cart or valve pre, maybe the system provides the best of everything. But you need to get Bill Ying, rye shun mook designer, who lives in SF, to come over and mook you like Greg. That is the secret sauce of hifi, and the moral of that link Bill posted

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Spectral amp is much better than the MBL 9011 on the MBL to muy ears. I have also heard ypsilon integrated which was very good. But spectral vs 9011 was a direct AB and it was better on all clients of tone, stage, speed, dynamics, smoothness.

Ysilon at least on paper sounds like it would work.

To be fair though, Ked, you still were not that enamoured with the MBLs so perhaps neither amp were optimal. I think you said tone wasn't great? Sounds like it needs some tubes in the chain.

 

[bonzo75]

Ysilon at least on paper sounds like it would work.

To be fair though, Ked, you still were not that enamoured with the MBLs so perhaps neither amp were optimal. I think you said tone wasn't great? Sounds like it needs some tubes in the chain.

Yes but jump on spectral was significant and easy to observe. Those speakers not for me, certainly.