steve williams
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WestminsterLab Re-imagining Amplification
- Thread starter gleeds
- Start date
Westminster News February, 2024:
Angus and I are proud to report that Wilson Benesch has adopted Westminster Electronics as their reference in their listening room in Sheffield, UK. WB executives experienced the combination on varying occasions since they have the same distributor in Germany. I also listened to the big WBs and the Reis at Robert Harley's when he was preparing his recently published review of the Eminence/ dual Infrasonic Generator subwoofer system.
Wilson Benesch speakers are known for their speed and resolution, which many amplifiers can obscure. The Westminster Lab Quest preamplifier and Rei amplifiers are also known for speed and resolution and add tone density and saturation to the presentation, which I found alluring.
Below are some photos taken in Wilson the room. The room photo shows the system with electronics previously used before Westminster's arrival
Angus and I are proud to report that Wilson Benesch has adopted Westminster Electronics as their reference in their listening room in Sheffield, UK. WB executives experienced the combination on varying occasions since they have the same distributor in Germany. I also listened to the big WBs and the Reis at Robert Harley's when he was preparing his recently published review of the Eminence/ dual Infrasonic Generator subwoofer system.
Wilson Benesch speakers are known for their speed and resolution, which many amplifiers can obscure. The Westminster Lab Quest preamplifier and Rei amplifiers are also known for speed and resolution and add tone density and saturation to the presentation, which I found alluring.
Below are some photos taken in Wilson the room. The room photo shows the system with electronics previously used before Westminster's arrival
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!
When David Robinson told me we would be receiving an Oasis Award for the WestminsterLabs/Von Schweikert/Lampizator room at last years Axpona I was naturally excited by the news. I then saw David at the LAOC when he presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to the eminently deserving John Curl and he said yup it's coming. Well here it is a wee bit delayed but most welcomed!
The band will be back together at Axpona 2024 in April with exciting world premieres from VSA and Lampizator so please come by and see what we have in store. Thanks Damon, Fred and Rob for always being great room partners!
When David Robinson told me we would be receiving an Oasis Award for the WestminsterLabs/Von Schweikert/Lampizator room at last years Axpona I was naturally excited by the news. I then saw David at the LAOC when he presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to the eminently deserving John Curl and he said yup it's coming. Well here it is a wee bit delayed but most welcomed!
The band will be back together at Axpona 2024 in April with exciting world premieres from VSA and Lampizator so please come by and see what we have in store. Thanks Damon, Fred and Rob for always being great room partners!
Congratulations to Angus Leung of WestminsterLab (designer) and Gary Leeds of Hear This (distributor) for Robert Harley's rave review of the REI amplifier in the May/June 2024 issue of the absolute sound!
I am expecting the magazine on April 4th. Maybe you read it on Zinio on-line. I've heard the REIs on my speakers and one characteristic which was phenomenal was the macro dynamic range listening to jazz and orchestral music. My CDs sounded incredibly dynamic from PPPP to FFFF, instantaneous and subtle changes in dynamics. Much better than VAC that I'm used to hearing on Von Schweikert Ultras. Listening to well recorded music is often better than live (the software is cheaper and more convenient as well).
I have been using the WestminsterLab Rei monoblocks for better part of a year. 2 weeks ago I installed the WL Quest preamp with the latest volume control update. ~170 hours into the break-in period. As much as I appreciated the musicality and control of the Rei amps, adding the latest version of the Quest took the music to a place I did not think possible in this room.
First , the bass control, extension and drive of the combination is immediately apparent in the most musical way. Second, and most compelling to me, is the transparency and what seems to be a limitless dynamic range the Quest brings to the presentation. Of course the source material must be up to the challenge but I have not experienced this lack of compression in recordings I thought I knew very well.
Last night, listening to the track Myself Around You from the latest Julian Lage release, Speak to Me, I was literally startled by the attack and nuanced dynamics of the performance. I have seen Julian play live numerous times (solo, with a trio and quartet, electric and acoustic) and what I heard last night was the gestalt of being present at the performance.
Kudos to Angus for building these brilliant devices and thanks to Gary for turning me on to them.
First , the bass control, extension and drive of the combination is immediately apparent in the most musical way. Second, and most compelling to me, is the transparency and what seems to be a limitless dynamic range the Quest brings to the presentation. Of course the source material must be up to the challenge but I have not experienced this lack of compression in recordings I thought I knew very well.
Last night, listening to the track Myself Around You from the latest Julian Lage release, Speak to Me, I was literally startled by the attack and nuanced dynamics of the performance. I have seen Julian play live numerous times (solo, with a trio and quartet, electric and acoustic) and what I heard last night was the gestalt of being present at the performance.
Kudos to Angus for building these brilliant devices and thanks to Gary for turning me on to them.
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Thank you, Ron! This is a milestone we are quite proud of for an emerging brand. To our customers, past and present, a BIG thank you from Angus and myself!
I met Angus last year at AXPONA, on the very first day, when he and Nelson Choi were setting up the Lumin room, and we had a very interesting discussion about audio component design. IIRC, Angus also designed Lumin's amplifier, apppropriately named, "Amp". Would love to review that someday for Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity.
I then met Angus once again in Gary Lea's Hear This room with Angus' amazing Westminster Labs mono amplifiers and Quest preamp, and IIRC, the LampiZator Horizon DAC and Von Schweikert loudspeakers.
Hee's a photo of of the Hear This room from AXPONA 2023; it was easily one of the best rooms I heard at AXPONA last year, and it was really fun and educational chatting with Angus.
Cheers and congrats to Gary Lea and Angus Leung.
I then met Angus once again in Gary Lea's Hear This room with Angus' amazing Westminster Labs mono amplifiers and Quest preamp, and IIRC, the LampiZator Horizon DAC and Von Schweikert loudspeakers.
Hee's a photo of of the Hear This room from AXPONA 2023; it was easily one of the best rooms I heard at AXPONA last year, and it was really fun and educational chatting with Angus.
Cheers and congrats to Gary Lea and Angus Leung.
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I have just finished reading Robert Harley's review of the Westminster Lab Rei monoblocks in the May/June 2024 edition of The Absolute Sound. His review describes exactly what I have experienced from these extraordinary amplifiers during my 21 months of ownership, and his summary is spot on: "neutrality, high resolution, see-through transparency, dynamic liveliness and outstanding bass." I have also been amazed by the attacks, decays and 3-dimensionality, points that were also recognized by Mr. Harley: "The Rei's transient speed brings them to life, and the instruments are surrounded by little puffs of air." To my ears, the Rei's outperform amplifiers that are multiple times their cost.
I certainly agree with your thoughts on Mr. Harley's review. It pretty much sums up my impressions and why I like the Rei as much as I do. One thing I'd add from my perspective is the form factor; definitely an important element for me.
Lastly I can't emphasize enough, when paired with the Quest pre, the Rei is even more sensational.
For those who don't have access to the TAS review, Mr. Harley's assessment of the Rei monoblock amplifiers is attached as a PDF. Are they giant killers—you bet!
Next, we are getting close to Axpona and will have a never-before-heard WestminsterLab set-up in our suite. For those members attending please stop by and say hello. More details will follow over the weekend as we just now finished putting everything on the truck bound for Chicago.
Next, we are getting close to Axpona and will have a never-before-heard WestminsterLab set-up in our suite. For those members attending please stop by and say hello. More details will follow over the weekend as we just now finished putting everything on the truck bound for Chicago.
This AXPONA will be the first anniversary of showing our loudspeakers with the impressive WestminsterLab electronics and I'm in no way surprised Robert was so impressed with the REI amps. I guess this is my way of saying, "I was into the band before they became popular."
Thanks for digging our band, Damon!
In a few days, we will make great music with our bandmates. Fred and Rob of Lampizator NA will present their new Posidean DAC sensation and Vividus grounding box—Andrew from SGC, his latest server and next-generation Sonore streamer.
VSA's sensational the fabulous VR-55 Special Edition loudspeakers with Foundation ARC bass amplifiers. For mid-range and high-frequency duties, four Westminster Lab Rei monoblock amplifiers will be set up in vertical bi-amplification mode fronted by the never-seen-before dual mono Quest pre-amplifiers. Supporting things, my long-time partner, John Heins, will present his bespoke Folgenhaus equipment rack, a stunning piece of woodcraft that can compete with the best stands made while retaining the esthetic qualities of the best heirloom furniture.
Angus will also be on hand, so we hope you can stop by to say hello and share your experiences with him.
Californians, there was a rumored Angus sighting over the weekend!
Fred, Rob, Damon, Andrew, John, Angus, and I look forward to seeing you at the show!
In a few days, we will make great music with our bandmates. Fred and Rob of Lampizator NA will present their new Posidean DAC sensation and Vividus grounding box—Andrew from SGC, his latest server and next-generation Sonore streamer.
VSA's sensational the fabulous VR-55 Special Edition loudspeakers with Foundation ARC bass amplifiers. For mid-range and high-frequency duties, four Westminster Lab Rei monoblock amplifiers will be set up in vertical bi-amplification mode fronted by the never-seen-before dual mono Quest pre-amplifiers. Supporting things, my long-time partner, John Heins, will present his bespoke Folgenhaus equipment rack, a stunning piece of woodcraft that can compete with the best stands made while retaining the esthetic qualities of the best heirloom furniture.
Angus will also be on hand, so we hope you can stop by to say hello and share your experiences with him.
Californians, there was a rumored Angus sighting over the weekend!
Fred, Rob, Damon, Andrew, John, Angus, and I look forward to seeing you at the show!
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Thank you everyone ( Gary, Ron, Damon and all our beloved WestminsterLab users ) for the continue support and the amazing feedback! It is exactly your feedback and appreciation that keep us going and pushing the boundary. I am really glad that everyone is enjoying the "small" upgrade for the Quest and we are working very hard to bring another product to the market before the end of the year. And I promise this is something we are very excited about!
This year, we have something special at 1621 Axpona, this is the first time a setup with 2 X Quest ( in dual mono mode ) shown in public. I am very excited about this pairing with the VR-55 and I think it is going to be something special!
This year, we have something special at 1621 Axpona, this is the first time a setup with 2 X Quest ( in dual mono mode ) shown in public. I am very excited about this pairing with the VR-55 and I think it is going to be something special!
I visited my friend Cyrus in Spokane, Washington, earlier in the winter to hear his system with Clarisys Auditorium loudspeakers. At that point, I had not yet set up my Clarisys Studio Plus speakers in my listening room for Audio Café. As most of you know, I represent Clarisys Audio as their Los Angeles dealer. Hence, visiting Cyrus was the first time I would hear Clarisys loudspeakers in a home environment.
At the time, I thought Cyrus' system sounded great. But ideally, I was looking for a more bass-foundational tonal balance. I wanted something that was, to my ears, more natural and more tonally dense in the upper bass to lower midrange. Cyrus likes impactful bass and agreed with my assessment.
You may recall Keith Rochelli's extensive power amplifier audition for his Fyne F1-12 loudspeakers. I remember that we compared to his reference Linear Tube Audio amplifiers:
--First Watt SIT-3
--Luxman m400
--BAT vk255SE
-- WestminsterLab REI
-- Gryphon Essence
-- Nagra Classic
-- darTZeel 108 Mk. I
-- Vitus SIA-25
I am listing here only the solid-state contenders. There were also two or three tube contenders.
That amplifier comparison project was very interesting since I had no dog in that hunt, and I could just sit back and figure out what happened to be my favorite solid-state amplifier on Keith's speakers in Keith's system and Keith's room.
As I reported then, my favorite amplifier during that process proved to be the WestminsterLab Rei. Steve Williams raved about the Rei amplifiers in his system a while back. Our own MobiusMan switched from all VAC Statement electronics to all WestminsterLab electronics, and Keith bought the Reis after his long at-home audition process. Given those experiences with systems I knew intimately, I recommended that Cyrus try them in his system.
At that same time, Roy Gregory followed up his review of the Clarisys Auditorium loudspeakers with an extensive report on his use of six channels of amplification using an active crossover to drive the Auditoriums. See https://gy8.eu/review/brilliant-adventure/
Cyrus was excited about the sonic possibilities reported by Roy Gregory from driving each driver in the Auditoriums with its dedicated amplifier: six loudspeaker drivers and six compact monaural amplifiers.
After Cyrus had discussed Roy's report with me, I suggested that Cyrus replicate Roy's configuration with six WestminsterLab REIs. I put Cyrus in contact with Gary Leeds of Hear This, the North American distributor for WestminsterLab.
Gary consulted with Angus Leung, Founder and Designer of WestminsterLab. Angus was excited about hearing his amplifiers on big planar dipole ribbon loudspeakers. (Angus has been an Apogee Diva owner for many years and is restoring his bass panels.)
So Gary, representing Hear This, Angus, representing WestminsterLab, and I, representing Clarisys Audio through Audio Café, decided we would form a team to collaborate on installing this extraordinary system. While I cannot be sure, I believe it is the first (after Roy) actively amplified using an active-crossover system on Clarisys loudspeakers in a home environment anywhere in the world!
Thank you to Mike Bovaird, the U.S. importer for Clarisys, for supplying us with the CS Port electronic crossover, and to Clarisys Audio head honcho Florián for his advice and excellent technical support!
After AXPONA, Gary, Angus and I flew to Spokane, Washington for the installation. We spent four days with Cyrus installing six REI amplifiers, WestminsterLab’s latest Quest balanced pre-amplifier, and a complete loom of WestminsterLab cables.
Angus is a brilliant electronics designer and one of the best set-up men I have had the privilege of knowing. Angus patiently and meticulously fine-tuned the loudspeaker positioning and the cross-over settings to make Cyrus a happy audiophile! The completed system is the highest expression of the Clarisys Auditorium speakers. I suspect that Westminsterlab electronics and cabling will perform similar wonders as one moves down the line.
My thanks to Gary, Angus and, especially, Cyrus and Janet, his very supportive wife!
At the time, I thought Cyrus' system sounded great. But ideally, I was looking for a more bass-foundational tonal balance. I wanted something that was, to my ears, more natural and more tonally dense in the upper bass to lower midrange. Cyrus likes impactful bass and agreed with my assessment.
You may recall Keith Rochelli's extensive power amplifier audition for his Fyne F1-12 loudspeakers. I remember that we compared to his reference Linear Tube Audio amplifiers:
--First Watt SIT-3
--Luxman m400
--BAT vk255SE
-- WestminsterLab REI
-- Gryphon Essence
-- Nagra Classic
-- darTZeel 108 Mk. I
-- Vitus SIA-25
I am listing here only the solid-state contenders. There were also two or three tube contenders.
That amplifier comparison project was very interesting since I had no dog in that hunt, and I could just sit back and figure out what happened to be my favorite solid-state amplifier on Keith's speakers in Keith's system and Keith's room.
As I reported then, my favorite amplifier during that process proved to be the WestminsterLab Rei. Steve Williams raved about the Rei amplifiers in his system a while back. Our own MobiusMan switched from all VAC Statement electronics to all WestminsterLab electronics, and Keith bought the Reis after his long at-home audition process. Given those experiences with systems I knew intimately, I recommended that Cyrus try them in his system.
At that same time, Roy Gregory followed up his review of the Clarisys Auditorium loudspeakers with an extensive report on his use of six channels of amplification using an active crossover to drive the Auditoriums. See https://gy8.eu/review/brilliant-adventure/
Cyrus was excited about the sonic possibilities reported by Roy Gregory from driving each driver in the Auditoriums with its dedicated amplifier: six loudspeaker drivers and six compact monaural amplifiers.
After Cyrus had discussed Roy's report with me, I suggested that Cyrus replicate Roy's configuration with six WestminsterLab REIs. I put Cyrus in contact with Gary Leeds of Hear This, the North American distributor for WestminsterLab.
Gary consulted with Angus Leung, Founder and Designer of WestminsterLab. Angus was excited about hearing his amplifiers on big planar dipole ribbon loudspeakers. (Angus has been an Apogee Diva owner for many years and is restoring his bass panels.)
So Gary, representing Hear This, Angus, representing WestminsterLab, and I, representing Clarisys Audio through Audio Café, decided we would form a team to collaborate on installing this extraordinary system. While I cannot be sure, I believe it is the first (after Roy) actively amplified using an active-crossover system on Clarisys loudspeakers in a home environment anywhere in the world!
Thank you to Mike Bovaird, the U.S. importer for Clarisys, for supplying us with the CS Port electronic crossover, and to Clarisys Audio head honcho Florián for his advice and excellent technical support!
After AXPONA, Gary, Angus and I flew to Spokane, Washington for the installation. We spent four days with Cyrus installing six REI amplifiers, WestminsterLab’s latest Quest balanced pre-amplifier, and a complete loom of WestminsterLab cables.
Angus is a brilliant electronics designer and one of the best set-up men I have had the privilege of knowing. Angus patiently and meticulously fine-tuned the loudspeaker positioning and the cross-over settings to make Cyrus a happy audiophile! The completed system is the highest expression of the Clarisys Auditorium speakers. I suspect that Westminsterlab electronics and cabling will perform similar wonders as one moves down the line.
My thanks to Gary, Angus and, especially, Cyrus and Janet, his very supportive wife!
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