And some people just have to trow tubes at anything indiscriminately
They are too opinionated and biased. It is not about the actual sound they hear
VAC 452 iQ review in Stereophile
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They are too opinionated and biased. It is not about the actual sound they hear
Very true. I had to get rid of them because at that time I lived in a condo and neighbors would not appreciate them! The other great sounding speaker I owned that had this problem was the Sonus Faber Extrema (original model). Every time an used pair shows at our distributor I feel tempted, but wisdom wins!
Only in inappropriate systems or rooms. That characteristic sheen is really horrible, but once we managed to get rid of it they sound magnificent. I once was trying amplifiers with the 101b with the help of a friend and, for example, at that time in my room a Krell sounded metallic, but a french amplifier that was not very expensive sounded sweet and full bodied with plenty of presence. Apologies I can't remember the brand.
I must say that I never listened to a decent show demo of them - the best I listened was in an acquaintance room completely paneled with natural wood.
Cables were also very important - the old Straightwire Virtuoso SS was my choice at that time.
I have used Virtuoso too, but prefer Crescendo 2, even the Original Crescendo are a little tame in my system. Older Krell amps have a metallic sheen in the treble that you don’t hear on electrostatics like Martin Logan, but need taming on MBL’s.
Ha, funny...except I have ONLY heard them with the big MBL monos...Yes that’s what happens when i underdrive them with most tube amps, or place them in a to small room
You where just missing your tubes, if Ron’s car ran out of battery he would insist they used a tube device to charge it. You would insist they use a SET chargerHa, funny...except I have ONLY heard them with the big MBL monos...
You where just missing your tubes, if Ron’s car ran out of battery he would insist they used a tube device to charge it. You would insist they use a SET charger
Well, there is a well known turntable that uses tubes to drive the motor ...
Where do I buy this device?You where just missing your tubes, if Ron’s car ran out of battery he would insist they used a tube device to charge it. You would insist they use a SET charger
One of my phono stages even uses tubes in the power supplies ! It’s being repaired againWell, there is a well known turntable that uses tubes to drive the motor ...
I have had these speakers for years and never heard any metallical coloration. Don’t even know what it is.
get great transparency to musical performance, electrostatic clarity in the midrange, but better on the extremes... near horn dynamics... just pure joy
They do need a room with a lot of absorptive and reflective surfaces. If the room is not up to par, it’s bad news... a lot of guys use SMT wings to delay the waves that come from alll over and help with imaging ...
amp-wise, if someone doesn’t use MBL amps because of Ss allergies, cost, or something else, the consensus best is symphonic line kraft, which is the least ss sounding amp ever...may be used with a tube preamp, which is a great thing to many.., the others amps sound soft and can’t get the melon to sound right.. most amps sound like a pussy....and I’ve lifted a lot of amps before , screwed over my back, cut my hands... just knocked off the toe nail on the big toe... hurts like a b!tch, ouch!!!
like everything else , it’s about personal preference in this hobby. Things move you or don’t.
get great transparency to musical performance, electrostatic clarity in the midrange, but better on the extremes... near horn dynamics... just pure joy
They do need a room with a lot of absorptive and reflective surfaces. If the room is not up to par, it’s bad news... a lot of guys use SMT wings to delay the waves that come from alll over and help with imaging ...
amp-wise, if someone doesn’t use MBL amps because of Ss allergies, cost, or something else, the consensus best is symphonic line kraft, which is the least ss sounding amp ever...may be used with a tube preamp, which is a great thing to many.., the others amps sound soft and can’t get the melon to sound right.. most amps sound like a pussy....and I’ve lifted a lot of amps before , screwed over my back, cut my hands... just knocked off the toe nail on the big toe... hurts like a b!tch, ouch!!!
like everything else , it’s about personal preference in this hobby. Things move you or don’t.
Wait mine are starting to sound metallic ! No it’s just the lifelike shimmer of cymbals from the 2 drummers playing on Willie Nelson’s “Teatro”
Wait mine are starting to sound metallic ! No it’s just the lifelike shimmer of cymbals from the 2 drummers playing on Willie Nelson’s “Teatro”
Maybe try SETs and play at 70 db instead it might sound like the violin Brad had recorded
Maybe some OTL amps with 300 separate 45 tubes per channel will make those MBLs sing with tube-a-ciousness!
The first MBL demo I ever heard was with Jadis tube amps. It sounded OK. MBL is hit or miss at shows, but I did hear a magnificent demo at CAS several years ago with the full bore MBL array of amps and components.
The first MBL demo I ever heard was with Jadis tube amps. It sounded OK. MBL is hit or miss at shows, but I did hear a magnificent demo at CAS several years ago with the full bore MBL array of amps and components.
I do usually try to aim for the less vulnerable bits when I’m in a tube throwing fitAnd some people just have to trow tubes at anything indiscriminately
And some people just have to trow tubes at anything indiscriminately
If the tube versus solid state battle cant be won with arguments alone
Stuff happens
I have had a different experience. I think that Jeremy Bryan's demos in Los Angeles (with Greg Beron's amazing UHA tape machine and SMT acoustic treatment) are extremely consistent and always fantastic (if a bit too loud).
MBL 101E is the most dynamic speaker I ever
Yes that’s what happens when i underdrive them with most tube amps, or place them in a to small room
I agree. My room is a bit small. So MBL 101 does not work quite well. But still to me, MBL is the best speaker I ever owned. I will definitely get a pair of MBL speaker when I got a larger room in the future.
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