Westminster Labs REI Amp Eval

[gleeds]

Zappadaddy, I am very interested to hear your results of the test with Rei. I have a colleague in Los Angeles who recently received Clarisys speakers and will be running our own tests once his room is ready. We will try both a single pair of Rei, as well as a bridged pair which should be something special.

 

[kkfan]

Zappadaddy, I am very interested to hear your results of the test with Rei. I have a colleague in Los Angeles who recently received Clarisys speakers and will be running our own tests once his room is ready. We will try both a single pair of Rei, as well as a bridged pair which should be something special.

Would love to hear your thoughts on pairing Clarisys with Rei amps.

 

[Zappadaddy]

When I return from Seattle we will do this test, right now the best results are with Challenge SE-833 monoblocks

 

[Vicks7]

Do these sound as good balanced as opposed to using the single-ended connections?

 

[mxk116]

Do these sound as good balanced as opposed to using the single-ended connections?

WestminsterLab Rei is balanced only. Same with Quest preamp, although a plug-in single ended module is available for one (or both) of the expansion slots (I use one of the expansion slots for the balanced phono stage module).

 

[gleeds]

Vicks 7, good morning. The Rei amplifiers are designed for balanced mode operation. If, for example, you were to use your 18NS pre-amplifier, you would use your balanced outputs for the best results. I will ask Ed at The Audio Association, a long-time dartZeel dealer and one of our WestminsterLab partners, to try the Reis in this configuration so we know the results.

 

[Vicks7]

Thanks both, this is super helpful. Looking for a cheaper solid state amp for my Dartzeel pre so you read my mind gleeds!.

 

[Vicks7]

WestminsterLab Rei is balanced only. Same with Quest preamp, although a plug-in single ended module is available for one (or both) of the expansion slots (I use one of the expansion slots for the balanced phono stage module).

good news and thanks, would use in balanced only.

 

[PhP]

Yes, 700w of Class A into our 4 ohm Magico M3s. If one set of REIs sounds this “perfect” what would two sets sound like? We’ve had a number of people over now. Their mouths are dropping in awe at the sound. I’m not sure it can be beat - esp at this price!

Hi,
ok watts.. but how much watts on transients and how much ampere at peak? many amplifiers delivers watts but can't have huge headrooms when music require. For example, I have monoblocs of 450W under 4 ohm but 7500w peak and 75A peak. My previous amp was 450w under 4 ohm and only 30A peak and less than 2000 W on transients. Impact on music : impression of no compression, no distorsion, veracity on very complex instruments like big cymbals, flute...

 

[Steve Williams]

Hi,
ok watts.. but how much watts on transients and how much ampere at peak? many amplifiers delivers watts but can't have huge headrooms when music require. For example, I have monoblocs of 450W under 4 ohm but 7500w peak and 75A peak. My previous amp was 450w under 4 ohm and only 30A peak and less than 2000 W on transients. Impact on music : impression of no compression, no distorsion, veracity on very complex instruments like big cymbals, flute...

I have no idea as to answers to your questions but I can tell you I had both the mono version and the bridged version in my system and they knocked my socks off. They dont lack for anything IMHO and I keep telling Gary that for the price nothing comes close

 

[gleeds]

good news and thanks, would use in balanced only.

Vicks 7. It is confirmed. The Reis will work perfectly with your 18NS using the balanced outputs. Ed reminded us that we used the reis with the 18NS pre at last year's California High-End Audio Show with Evolution Acoustics' latest loudspeaker, "System Three," and the results were excellent. Feel free to PM me or Ed with any additional questions.

 

[Alrainbow]

Putting aside sound , I can't dispute what I have not heard in a given system . But I think I saw some picks of the inside of these amps. If I recall correctly it was a 400 watt toroidel transformer.
What technology is used to achieve the specs being posted.
Lets say an amp is 100 watts class A , at 8 ohms . At 4 ohms its half . The wattage can double but not class A watts.
I'm not knocking the amps I have heard them at shows and they sounded good on systems used in .
But it becomes insulting as specs quoted are not explained .

 

[TheAudioAssociation]

Vicks 7. It is confirmed. The Reis will work perfectly with your 18NS using the balanced outputs. Ed reminded us that we used the reis with the 18NS pre at last year's California High-End Audio Show with Evolution Acoustics' latest loudspeaker, "System Three," and the results were excellent. Feel free to PM me or Ed with any additional questions.

Hey there James, Happy Holidays! The 18NS balanced to the REI's are sublime. You get the DarTZeel magic with the oomph from the REI's. Amazing combo and recommended with no hesitation!

 

[gleeds]

A picture from a recent listening session in the WestminsterLab sound room with Angus and our German distributor, Krey Baumgartl, one of my favorite men in high-end audio.

 

[PhP]

I have no idea as to answers to your questions but I can tell you I had both the mono version and the bridged version in my system and they knocked my socks off. They dont lack for anything IMHO and I keep telling Gary that for the price nothing comes close

Hi Steve

At the price point, they (Westminster) could be an interesting choice for some audiophiles as they are quite affordable especially for monoblocks. That said I expect that in 2025, APURNA™ audio will be available in USA. These are the finest I know, I tested against most brands and models up to 3 times their cost. During our last show in France, many electronics manufacturers came in our room and said "how it is possible to do that? " but yes, small production like high end Swiss watches, and more expensive but at the same cost that most high end brands. This could offer US audiophiles a new perspective about music at home. Cheers

I have no idea as to answers to your questions but I can tell you I had both the mono version and the bridged version in my system and they knocked my socks off. They dont lack for anything IMHO and I keep telling Gary that for the price nothing comes close

 

[WBF Team]

Hi Steve

At the price point, they (Westminster) could be an interesting choice for some audiophiles as they are quite affordable especially for monoblocks. That said I expect that in 2025, APURNA™ audio will be available in USA. These are the finest I know, I tested against most brands and models up to 3 times their cost. During our last show in France, many electronics manufacturers came in our room and said "how it is possible to do that? " but yes, small production like high end Swiss watches, and more expensive but at the same cost that most high end brands. This could offer US audiophiles a new perspective about music at home. Cheers

We'd suggest that since this is not a thread specific to the company you wish to promote, if you'd like to open that discussion, that you do so on a new thread.

 

[PhP]

We'd suggest that since this is not a thread specific to the company you wish to promote, if you'd like to open that discussion, that you do so on a new thread.

I understand your position, but it's just a reality vs assessments that are often partial. In audio, and in all activities (I also practice MTB races) most people protect their choice, their brand, ... probably more in audio because of the cost and dealers persuasion of what is excellence. As some said "More curiosity, less judgement".
When I will promote APURNA™, I will open a new tread.