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MBL 101 (~1990) - amp suggestions.

Does anybody have experience with those speakers:
Designation was MBL 101, or MBL 101a/b/c (letters may designate colour).
They have _no_ cone drivers, only three 'Radialstrahler' units, the same size units as in later/current MBL 101 range, but lower crossover points. Subwoofers (MBL 201) were optional, I do not have them.
So far I have tried the following amps:
Pass Aleph 4: almost there, but feels like lacking authority. Also, female vocals seem to suffer (males fare better).
300B SET (glasshouse/hificollective): they make sound, even loud if pushed (circuit allows 300B to go A2), yet the match is poor, orchestra becomes a mess.
Moderate power SS AB amp ("INnovative Audio Ultrapath"): pointless. Sounds flat and gutless, worse than Aleph 4 or SET.
Mark Levinson 23: the best match so far. Controlled and effortless; merciless at times (poorer recordings are exposed for what they are).
-- Do you think I can [substantially] improve over ML 23?

inefficient
audition__audio
1,475 posts
 
MBL makes amps that are on the warm side and I would think would be a very good match for these speakers. These can be had used at reasonable prices. You need lots of power!
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rauliruegas
13,050 posts
 
Dear @inefficient: My first ML amp was the 23 followed by the 23.5 ( that I choosed over that Krell you mentioned. ) and 20.5's and 20.6's.

From those times were excelent designs and between them Threshold S500 II and S5000e, believe it or not are a challenge for any today Pass ones.

You need to take a look to the Parasound monobloks JC1. I listened paired with different big speakers: top of the line Soundlabs, the big Dynaudio and  Magico. Very good with either.

The ML33's has very good engeneering but its performance has not the design levels.

I never heard these Electrocompanient but I owned its electronics and are very good designs:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9d7a3-2-each-electrocompaniet-nemo-aw600-monoblocks-amplifiers

I forgot another very good choice could be the Gryphon Antileon where I have too first hand experiences.

Have fun in your hunt.

R.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
This speaker is not that hard to drive; its efficiency appears low because most of the sound does not get to the microphone that is placed only one meter away.
You can drive it quite successfully with tubes. But a lot depends on the size and liveliness of your room. How big is it?
inefficient OP
40 posts
 
Currently I use MBLs in open living area, 6 x 7.5  x 2.5 m (or 20' x 25' x 8'4), Room has large windows, at  it's other end it opens to upper floor ( ~2 x 3 m / 7' x 10' "hole") + extends into a hall (1.2 x 4.5 m / 4 x 15 feet), not empty space (open kitchen, some furniture and clutter).
MBL 101 ability to fill the room is quite surprising (not nearly as much volume 'gradient' as when I used Lowther Fidelios).
And there is bass, -- my neighbour from two floors down informed me so.
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rauliruegas
13,050 posts
 
Dear @inefficient : I forgo, I heard twice those MBL speakers one time in ahome audio system paired with Music Reference tube amps and the other at a distributor paired with SS electronics.

The system with the MR sounds good but nothing more in change the ones with SS electronics really makes the speakers shines.

The MBL's performs better at over average listening SPL and even the manufacturer ask for amps over 200 watts.

From my point of view of MUSIC home reproduction tubes never can honor MUSIC. Can " sounds " but that's all.

Of course that each music lover/audiophile has its own priorities and choices according to.

R.
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