2. amps-preamps
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Einstein The Tube vs Audio Reaserch REF5

I am seriously considering only these 2 preamps for my set up Tannoy Westminster + Manley NEO500 + McIntosh CD1100(it has preamp section already)in near future.Einstein Mk1(now used 2650euros)Mrk2(4000 euros)Mrk3(6000 euros) or AR ref5 used (6000 euros).I heard Einstein mrk3 and it was orgasmic experience,awesome bass,never heard it in my system before(that was with McIntosh2301 + McIntosh cd1100 which I had for a try for couple of days,but too expensive for me so Iam purchasing 1 year old Manley Neo500 for a lot less + cd1100,maybee late I will switch to 2301's).I still don¨t know about preamp though.Ithink I would not go wrong with any of them,but visualy I like Einstein better.Any thoughts?
128x128mikedimitrov
cmalak
681 posts
 
Input impedance for your Manley Neo 500 Classic is 116Kohms via single-ended and 270Kohms via XLR at 1KHz (although it does dip down to 20Khz/38KHz respectively at 20Hz in the low bass region). You should be fine matching it with the ARC Ref 5SE, especially if you connect via XLR interconnects. I have no view on the Einstein pre but just letting you know that from an impedance matching perspective, you should be ok with the ARC Ref 5SE in combo with your Manley amps.

By the way, since you have Manley amps, have you considered a Manley preamp?
mikedimitrov's avatar
mikedimitrov OP
161 posts
 
Yes,I would consider Manely preamp.I will be using xlr cables McIntosh and Harmonix.Tommorow I am going to the studio to get McIntosh cd1100 which has preamp section,but I have heard almost the same set up only with Einstein preamp and that was so much better then with preamp in cd1100 but it was also satisfying if not compared side by side.
brf
1,715 posts
 
Wow, 500w is a lot of power to drive Westministers.
mikedimitrov's avatar
mikedimitrov OP
161 posts
 
BRF.Yes and no.We had a session with 2
McIntosh 2301 in my house,they are very powerfull 300w per channel.We listen loudly,big room,at no time ontheir meter showed 250w and in a moment when more instruments and big tympani joined very dynamic musical collage it jumped suddenly to 300w and that extra power was great,it handled these dynamic changes with ease,no distortions just beautifull music in concert level,our jaws dropped to the floor.Listen The Enid - live in Hammersmith,song one and you will know what I am talking about,starts slowly but the climax is ... oh no words for it.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
It seems strange a 98 db sensitive speaker would draw that kind of power. Is this speaker`s sensitivity rating accurate?I`ve heard speakers this sensitive go well over 100 db SPL with 20 watts in good sized rooms.This room must be huge.
Regards,
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