Re-imagining "Class A" Amplification

LampiNA

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Jun 30, 2015
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Likewise, Fred - a dealer friend really wants me to try the monos!
Hey Keith!

I'll be happy to get you a proper listen when my first demo set arrives.
 

LampiNA

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Jun 30, 2015
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Absolutely! And probably a lot quicker to coordinate!
 

Audire

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Jan 18, 2019
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Our demo REIs are sounding glorious - transcendent.

We are considering two sets. Does bridging REIs double the output impedance? Are there any negatives to bridging REIs? Thanks.
 
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gleeds

Industry Expert
May 29, 2018
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Our demo REIs are sounding glorious - transcendent.

We are considering two sets. Does bridging REIs double the output impedance? Are there any negatives to bridging REIs? Thanks.
No negatives whatsoever Audire. Later in the day Angus will be available and address the impedance question and the unique way the REI's are bridged for maximum performance.
 

Audire

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No negatives whatsoever Audire. Later in the day Angus will be available and address the impedance question and the unique way the REI's are bridged for maximum performance.

Thanks Gary. Looking forward to Angus’ reply as well.
 

gleeds

Industry Expert
May 29, 2018
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??
 

gleeds

Industry Expert
May 29, 2018
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Just for fun!
I just received this photo showing the German premiere for Westminster Labs electronics powering the Wilson Benesh Eminence speakers. Shown are (4) Westminster Rei mono amplifiers in bridged mode and the Quest balanced pre-amplifier. The cables used are a full loom of Westminster Labs Ultra.

For our German/Swiss and Austrian WBF members and friends please contact:
IAD GmbH
Krey Baumgartl

k.baumgartl@iad-gmbh.de


Wilson-Benesch-Event_01-e1651495214174.jpg
 

lscangus

Industry Expert
Oct 23, 2018
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Our demo REIs are sounding glorious - transcendent.

We are considering two sets. Does bridging REIs double the output impedance? Are there any negatives to bridging REIs? Thanks.
The Rei are designed and manufactured to be bridged and the units with matched serial numbers are manufactured to be bridged with tight tolerances. There are no audible penalty when bridged, is all down to how close the pairs are matched. The only inconvenience is that it may take them a bit more time to warm up ( as their work load is much lower now ) and the countless hours one have to spent listening to music :p.

The output impedance from the bridged pair is going to be half of the spec, 0.009Ohm .
 

viola

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Apr 21, 2021
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Our demo REIs are sounding glorious - transcendent.

We are considering two sets. Does bridging REIs double the output impedance? Are there any negatives to bridging REIs? Thanks.
Audire,

No surprise to me. I, too, was skeptical, but Steve's impressions had a big impact on me to try a demo pair, and the demos were outstanding in every way: warmth of tubes with beautiful midrange, firm grip on tight and deep bass, effortless highs, spookily real leading and trailing edges, images that appear to float and a great soundstage that made me a true believer (and a purchaser).
 

Audire

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Audire,

No surprise to me. I, too, was skeptical, but Steve's impressions had a big impact on me to try a demo pair, and the demos were outstanding in every way: warmth of tubes with beautiful midrange, firm grip on tight and deep bass, effortless highs, spookily real leading and trailing edges, images that appear to float and a great soundstage that made me a true believer (and a purchaser).
Yes, this is what I’m hearing - but you phrased it much better than I.
 

Audire

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The Rei are designed and manufactured to be bridged and the units with matched serial numbers are manufactured to be bridged with tight tolerances. There are no audible penalty when bridged, is all down to how close the pairs are matched. The only inconvenience is that it may take them a bit more time to warm up ( as their work load is much lower now ) and the countless hours one have to spent listening to music :p.

The output impedance from the bridged pair is going to be half of the spec, 0.009Ohm .

Thanks Angus.
 

CDC77

Active Member
May 26, 2021
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Chicago
www.cdcaruso.com
Gary Leeds, President of US importer, Hear This is pleased to announce the firm's first US sales partnership with Destination Sound Group of New York. The alliance will make auditioning Westminster electronics, including the Rei monoblock amplifiers and matching Quest pre-amplifier, more readily available to Metropolitan area audio enthusiasts. This opportunity will also extend to existing and future customers of Lampizator and Tobian Sound Systems, feature products that Fred Ainsley and DSG represent.

The pairing of Westminster Labs electronics with these fine brands is an exceptional audio experience. We are proud to be associated with Fred and his select group of industry-leading manufacturers. Thank you, Fred. Your energy, professionalism, and positivity are infectious!
View attachment 95364
Congratulations to both of you, Gary and Fred. Pleased to say I am enjoying my new Horizon powered by my new REI amps this evening thanks to both of you.
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Congratulations to both of you, Gary and Fred. Pleased to say I am enjoying my new Horizon powered by my new REI amps this evening thanks to both of you.
You’re one lucky guy Carmen
 

Don Reid

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Nov 14, 2020
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Being a user of pure class amplifiers I was initially skeptical that the Westminsters could be "real" class A, but the multitude of positive reviews and decisions to buy the amps presented in this thread make the amps sound like sure fire winners. Where are the amplifiers manufactured?
 
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gleeds

Industry Expert
May 29, 2018
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Hi Don,

Angus and I appreciate your interest in the Rei mono amplifiers. Manufacturing of the amplifier is carried out in Hong Kong, led by Angus and a small team of passionate builders. We routinely make our amplifiers available for home audition, so if you have interest, feel free to DM me here at WBF. The small and mighty Reis are indeed something special!
 
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gleeds

Industry Expert
May 29, 2018
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Hi all,

I'm excited to be hitting the road this week and next for a few demos. I'm pleased to demonstrate the first pair of Rei amplifiers in bridged mode and the Quest preamplifier to a Von Schwikert Audio Ultra 9 owner. They were breaking in off my standard rack before being packed and sounding superb. My lovely and always helpful wife Deb properly fit them into the Pelican cases, so all is ready to go!

Next week from Angus's Lab, we will have an informative brief On Westminster's new moving coil phono card option for the Quest preamplifier!


PXL_20220806_214541870.PORTRAIT_3.jpg PXL_20220811_203043022_2.jpg
 

Audire

VIP/Donor
Jan 18, 2019
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Hi all,

I'm excited to be hitting the road this week and next for a few demos. I'm pleased to demonstrate the first pair of Rei amplifiers in bridged mode and the Quest preamplifier to a Von Schwikert Audio Ultra 9 owner. They were breaking in off my standard rack before being packed and sounding superb. My lovely and always helpful wife Deb properly fit them into the Pelican cases, so all is ready to go!

Next week from Angus's Lab, we will have an informative brief On Westminster's new moving coil phono card option for the Quest preamplifier!


View attachment 96738 View attachment 96736

Absolutely Beautiful. And I know they must sound great!
 
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lscangus

Industry Expert
Oct 23, 2018
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Hi all,

I'm excited to be hitting the road this week and next for a few demos. I'm pleased to demonstrate the first pair of Rei amplifiers in bridged mode and the Quest preamplifier to a Von Schwikert Audio Ultra 9 owner. They were breaking in off my standard rack before being packed and sounding superb. My lovely and always helpful wife Deb properly fit them into the Pelican cases, so all is ready to go!

Next week from Angus's Lab, we will have an informative brief On Westminster's new moving coil phono card option for the Quest preamplifier!
Looking great! Once bridged, the headroom is doubled, output impedance is halved and power is quadrupled. You will be amazed as the sum of 1+1 is more than 2! Yamamoto san's from Stereo Sound did a test with single/bi-amp/bridged, and his words are better than mine. Stereo Sound JP
 

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