MBL 101 (~1990) - amp suggestions.
76w in 4 Ohm do not seem to do the trick @ 80 dB/W (or even 80 dB/2.83V). To R.: in ‘cost no object’ situation I’d start with a pair of ML 33 and see if they are any good. In real life I tred ML 23, I could get a Krell ksa 250s, probably a ML 333, a Pass X350... or —and that is quite realistic right now — another Pass Aleph 4 and run them paralelled one per channel. = I look for ideas and _experience_ Experience with old MBL 101 seems a scarce commodity though... |
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. |
Looked up 'EPDR resistance' -- thanks for the tip! Stereophile has a good article in their archive, that clarifies a lot, among other things sets in perspective use of tubes (300B with a 6 Ohm tap really did not work too well, in 2 Ohm 'epdr' resistance they should not). Also explains why Aleph 4 was not happy, it can live with 4 Ohm, but not with 2 Ohm. So ML 23 is a decent match, and an amp doubling output down to 1 Ohm could be worth a try. Thinking of 'eprd', McIntosh with their autoformers are on to something. Gryphons seem rather costly. |
Thank you all for input! I will live with ML 23 for now, possibly sell Aleph 4 and look out for MORE POWER https://tenor.com/view/toolman-taylor-tim-allen-homeimprovement-gif-5701538 |
I will go active in bass and relieve MBLs from 100 Hz downwards: my 101s are super old and have no bassreflex box, which current 101s have; MBL themselves suggested pairing with their active MBL 201, but I will try home-made dipoles instead (I find room modes and booming ported box bass rather dilsturbing, reproducing bass that way does not recreate classical concert or opera experience too well). |
- Just to clarify “would” or “would not” be compatible? I like spaciousness of MBLs a lot - they just fill the room. However, they excited vertical room mode, Even with that caveat MBL bass is ok. Then Gradients showed me that bass can be more tuneful - I am currently using Gradient 1.5 Helsinki, cardioid mids and highs with dipole below 200 Hz. There is a bit of placement difficulty (easy to get decent stereo image, but difficult to get optimal bass), but once in position I like the overall sound quite a bit, I just wish I could have more uniform sound in the room - like with MBLs. With clean dipole bass - like Gradient. Gradient 1.5 have one 12” driver per side. Seems barely enough. So I got something bigger (two BMS 18N862-8 per side). |
