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MBL speakers

I'm looking to simplify my setup and have currently MBL 116 with Rowlands Synergy 2i/501/PC1 monoblocks and MBL 1521/1511. If I were to keep the MBL 116 speakers can anyone recommend an integrated amp and one box player that would have similar quality to my setup. Please keep in mind that the speakers need to have quite a fair amount quality power to get the best. The Rowland have 500w and I had a Rowland Concentra II (150w) which really struggled to give its best. Thanks for looking!
dtanclim
dtanclim OP
69 posts
 
Mapman, you're probably right, another possibility would be to replace the Rowland 501/PC1 with a high power stereo amp like the Rowland 312 or the newer Rowland amps.
nyctc7
91 posts
 
mbl 7008. My local dealer said that they will drive the 116's. New, I think it is overpriced, but used, I think it is a good buy.
classicjazz
153 posts
 
What about the Rowland Continuum 500 integrated? You'd get the 501/PC1 plus the newer Concerto line stage in one chassis. I owned one and tried them driving MBL 111Es and the combo seemed to work fine. If you were to then you acquire an (SA)CD player you could shrink your system to two boxes. Alternately, you could simplify on the source side with a CD player with a built-in preamp section or volume control that you could then connect directly to your Rowland amps.
dob
577 posts
 
I agree with Mapman that separates are the best for this type of the speakers.

If budget is the problem then concentrate on best power amp which could drive your speakers. Rowland 312 or Spectron cetainly would fit the bill and then I would add inexpensive passive preamp. I like TVC but important critera is to find preamp which may or may not do everything you want it to do but "do no harm" i.e. no sins of commission, no coloration. Later on you could easily replace it with higher class preamp.

All The Best
Rafael
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,585 posts
 
Not that an integrated can't or won't work and even sound quite good. I just think you will get more for the $$$s spent with well matched separates and can also push the limits further that way.
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