Westminster Labs REI Amp Eval

Thanks for everyone’s comments in this thread. This has been a great learning experience. The REIs are fabulous amps. Everyone should audition a set.

We have cancelled the BAT audition. So at this point we have one to go. We have a Vitus integrated amp coming in for demo. Oz, the U.S. rep for Vitus, was very kind and is shipping this to our dealer for audition. We are excited to hear this amp. I’ll begin another thread with pics when this one arrives.
 
And why BAT cancelled?
And what happened to the Soulutions?

Thanks for your questions. The BAT is a brand new SS model (not even on their website yet) and isn't ready for prime time yet. They are close, but it will be a while longer before they have the amps ready. Needless to say they want it "perfect" ... So, we cancelled the home demo.

As far as Soulution, I changed my mind on the model. If I go for Solution I'd desire to go with the 701 monos (from what I understand better everything ...), not the 501s as I was previously considering. But the 701s are more than I presently desire to invest. When we build the new dedicated room, then the 701s (or latest rendition monos) will be under serious consideration again, along with a few other brands.

Thanks again.
 
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Well there will be a short delay in picking up the REIs. So, I’ll have to suffer with this tremendous sound just a little longer. What a way to suffer. :D

All kidding aside these are some great amps!
 
The Vitus are being delivered to my dealer today (Tony @ Ellington HiFi). A new thread will be opened for them. So, the REI amps will be leaving by week’s end.

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to listen to these amps. These are the best amps I’ve heard to date. The REIs (two sets) are in the run off for adding to our system.

This has been a tremendous experience. Thanks Gary and Angus.
 
It has been my and Angus pleasure to have you audition the Rei's Joe. We are glad you enjoyed your time with them and appreciate you sharing your experience with WBF members.
 
Thanks for everyone’s comments in this thread. This has been a great learning experience. The REIs are fabulous amps. Everyone should audition a set.

We have cancelled the BAT audition. So at this point we have one to go. We have a Vitus integrated amp coming in for demo. Oz, the U.S. rep for Vitus, was very kind and is shipping this to our dealer for audition. We are excited to hear this amp. I’ll begin another thread with pics when this one arrives.
Joe it feels like you are reading my mind and hearing my system because we are saying essentially the same thing about these amps. I have a pair of REI's running my VSA Ultra 9's, and being driven by a VAC Reference Pre. I will say that in my system with 4 ohm impedance speakers, these amps are the best I have ever heard regardless of price and mine only have about 150 hours on them . They produce more audio output than my VAC 452's (450/ch). and the sonic benefits are top to bottom by a major factor

Tonight I get the Westminster Labs Quest preamp inserted by Gary Leeds (US importer and distributor) and then in several weeks we will add another pair to see what strapped does to the overall sound, although I have more than enough power with a single pair.

I will be writing my review of the entire Westminster Labs impact after all of the Westminster Labs pieces are all part of my system, including the the new phono card. But I can tell you that on Saturday I concluded that I have hit my lifetime audio summit with just a single pair being driven by a VAC preamp.

I will keep you informed, but I totally agree, that these products are sufficiently innovative and produce the cleanest and most believable signal I have heard any where!!!
 
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There is even a recent review of the bridged version with a comment of an interview with Angus Leung. He said that the Rei were originally designed for bridge version:


The resumee: even better in bridge mode! Nice upgrade path.
I have heard both in my system. The bridged version us indeed terrific yet having said that the standard mono version is so good by themselves that if you never heard the bridged version you would still be eternally happy
 
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I am curently testing Westminstrlab Quest and Mola Makua in my system. First impression, preamp with guts, natural sounding, awesome trebles, creates atmosfere, Epitaph of King Crimson best I ever heard, great for any type of music. My Moon 740P sold, considering Quest, Incinito(never heard just wrote about it), maybe Pass XP30. I have one more dilema if to get Rei first or Quest which would accompany my incredible Chalellenge SE-833 class A 80w monoblocks. I also heard reference Soulnote, diffrent sound, very dynamic with very high resolution but not class A sound, not for me.Any thoughts on these topics? Anyone?
 
I am curently testing Westminstrlab Quest and Mola Makua in my system. First impression, preamp with guts, natural sounding, awesome trebles, creates atmosfere, Epitaph of King Crimson best I ever heard, great for any type of music. My Moon 740P sold, considering Quest, Incinito(never heard just wrote about it), maybe Pass XP30. I have one more dilema if to get Rei first or Quest which would accompany my incredible Chalellenge SE-833 class A 80w monoblocks. I also heard reference Soulnote, diffrent sound, very dynamic with very high resolution but not class A sound, not for me.Any thoughts on these topics? Anyone?
Fascinating...very very few people I suspect have ever heard Soulnote. Would love to read even a few more listening notes about how you found it. Sounds like you prefer your 833 Class A sound?
 
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I am curently testing Westminstrlab Quest and Mola Makua in my system. First impression, preamp with guts, natural sounding, awesome trebles, creates atmosfere, Epitaph of King Crimson best I ever heard, great for any type of music. My Moon 740P sold, considering Quest, Incinito(never heard just wrote about it), maybe Pass XP30. I have one more dilema if to get Rei first or Quest which would accompany my incredible Chalellenge SE-833 class A 80w monoblocks. I also heard reference Soulnote, diffrent sound, very dynamic with very high resolution but not class A sound, not for me.Any thoughts on these topics? Anyone?
Zappadaddy, if you love the way the Quest sounds in your system using your current amplifier and speakers start there and consider the Rei as a next step. Your SE amplifiers look fascinating! I'm curious what speakers you are using?
 
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Fascinating...very very few people I suspect have ever heard Soulnote. Would love to read even a few more listening notes about how you found it. Sounds like you prefer your 833 Class A sound?
I am lucky to have a distributor of Soulonote and Westminster under one roof in Czech rep, wchich is unbeliavable to me. As I said Soulnote sound very diffrent to me, it seems it does not focus on midrange more likely on trebles and deep punchy bass, it is very dynamic and detailed, it would appeal to new generation of listeners, WL is thicker, huge and tube sound, not so detailed as Soulnote. Simply WL sounds like Class A vs Soulnote which sounds very modern like. All these observations are based on studio"s listening room with Lawrence speakers, who knowa how it would sound in mine with Tannoy Westminster Royal speakers in my set up(Mola Tambaqui, Pink Faun, SE-833 monoblocks, Jorma cables, Stillpoints ultra 6). I will be testing Rey amplifiers in the future to find out what I actually prefer SE-833 or Rei. But I definately prefer WL sound opose Soulnote but I must admit that some music I liked more on Soulnote, that is how it is.
 
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Zappadaddy, if you love the way the Quest sounds in your system using your current amplifier and speakers start there and consider the Rei as a next step. Your SE amplifiers look fascinating! I'm curious what speakers you are using?
Exactly that is very logical step. My speakers are Tannoy Westminster Roayal tuned with Jupiter coil foil
 
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One more pair of speakers will be ariving on monday. Horning Hyrid Agalme. It will be a lot of fun to listen to them a compare to TW.
 
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We are planning to try Rei monoblocks with Clarisys Studio plus when they arive in march, that will be very interesting match.
 
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We are planning to try Rei monoblocks with Clarisys Studio plus when they arive in march, that will be very interesting match.
Now this is something I can’t wait to hear about.
 
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