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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?
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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,
shsohis
119 posts
 
I now own The Tube MkII. I have no idea that there is a MKIII version.
Anyway the Einstein has bass that was prodigious. Much better than the Nagra PLL, First Sound, Ayre K1xe and K5xe I once own. It really shines especially on acoustic instruments portrayal.
mikedimitrov's avatar
mikedimitrov OP
161 posts
 
Charles.Yes big room,occasionaly high listening volume.
stoale
1 posts
 
Wow thats a monster amp to drive westminsters Be careful , Not only is it not great sonic wise to have not have enough power thus over-driving the amp , it is just as damaging sonic wise to have too much power thus under driving the amp . This even comes more into play with Tubes . Something seems off Im driving my Westminster SE with Shindo and drive them VERY well with 10 watts
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