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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
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,014 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
13,118 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.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,138 posts
 
IF you look closely at the refrigerator sized AMS-100 you might get faith in the AMS-50


but agree the Threshold are quite good as would be anything Nelson builds today



georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

inefficient OP
  MBL 101 (~1990) - amp suggestions.


https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/mbl-101e-mkii-best-amplifiers/post?postid=1733529#1733529
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