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How do i know

People always tell me to use my ears. But sometimes i find i difficult just to trust my ears. For example. I want to buy MBL N-15 power mono amps. So far so good. But if i go for MBL pre also, then they dont have dac and pre in one body. And MBL dont have a streamer. And here in Norway there is no store that have them both, so i cant get a way to listen to them together. 
So i am thinking. What about if i instead of MBL pre and dac, instead buy the lovely Ayre QX-5 twenty Pre / Dac and streamer in one. So far so good. But how can i know without hearing them together, know that the Ayre QX-5 Twenty and MBL-15 mono power amps fits together
128x128heidrun
whart's avatar
whart
2,993 posts
 
If you are buying new, from the same manufacturer, reach out to the manufacturer and perhaps they could point you to another dealer even in another country that would be willing to demo for you and perhaps help make those arrangements for a demonstration. Coming through the manufacturer, you may get treated very well by such a dealer, even if they aren’t the selling agent due to territorial restrictions that may be in place. It’s a plane ticket, and maybe an excuse for a weekend get away. Worth a try.
Otherwise, agreed. It’s hard to assess stuff until you get it in your room, in your system, and live with it for a while. That’s why there’s so much turnover in gear, leaving aside the "gotta have the latest" mentality.
donjr
1,335 posts
 
There’s someone on here that goes by sidekick_i who owns a shop in Stockholm and carries some very well respected audio brands. I’m sure he or she would be able to help you out.
heidrun's avatar
heidrun OP
7 posts
 
Thanks donjr. Hope so
inna
7,268 posts
 
Yeah, the Stockholm dealer posted in Gryphon thread.
I would say that unless you are going to use MBL speakers as well, there is little need to only consider MBL.
pokey77
1,262 posts
 
@inna 

Good advice.

@heidrun

-If you have Mbl speakers then the mono's would be a no-brainer purchase. An all-Mbl system is the way to go. I've heard the Nobel line amps several times, with I believe the 101 E Mk II - it was an all-Mbl system. For me, I love this sound and would have it in my home if $$ were no object. My aspiration is to the Corona line.

As an alternative, you could consider the Mbl N51 integrated with the N31 CD/DAC. I have not heard this combo but have heard the Corona line integrated with the CD/DAC and it was very much like the Noble line just a bit smaller in scale and take into consideration that that system used the Mbl126 speaker. All of the Mbl systems I've heard have a similar house sound. The one time I heard Mbl speakers with a different electronics manufacturer, it didn't have the Mbl sparkle and ease I love so much about an all-Mbl system. 

You may do well to call Jeremy at Mbl and ask his advice.

BTW, what are your speakers and other components?
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