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  1. #1
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    The Road To XTreme

    As many know, the MBL 101 Xtremes are very special speakers. The entire MBL 101 Xtreme Reference System is at a level challenged by few. When the decision was made to bring in the 101 Xtreme Reference system, many preliminary steps had to take place first. I thought I would create a post to let everyone know some of the preliminary steps we had to take prior to the arrival of this incredible system, truly worthy of the name “Xtreme Reference”.

    First, it was important to ensure there was enough power, dedicated 20amp circuits. Each amp takes 2 power cords, so that’s eight and the sub towers take 2. We also need power for the preamp and sources. So, two electricians spent the day running 8 more dedicated 20 amp circuits.



    Next, storage of all the massive crates and boxes from the MBL Xtreme system. I had to rent another storage unit just for the Xtreme system, amps, preamp, DAC, transport, etc.



    Next, cabling. The 6010D preamp has one set of XLR inputs and two outputs. That meant some long RCA runs were required to the sub towers. In addition, it was important to ensure we had enough power cords! 13 in total just for the MBL gear. The system also requires two sets of speaker cables.

    In dealing with the room and the way Omnipolar speakers work, I know it’s best to keep things out of the middle between the speakers if possible. This essentially meant moving the entire rack to the back left corner of the room and putting the amp stands in storage, since the MBL 9011 amps at almost 3 feet long wouldn’t fit on the racks. The gear on the rack had to be moved to another rack in another room. MBL also recommends the amps stay on the floor since raising them up would actually interfere with the bottom of the radialstrahler.

    Also, it was important to move a lot of the equipment from the middle room into the other rooms to ensure the system could really breath with impunity.

    Logistically, when the entire system arrived, I needed strong muscle to move it in from the outside into the store. It would have to be done in stages. Move the crates and boxes into the store and setup on a different day. Creating a staging area for setup was also crucial.



    Coordinating with Jeremy at MBL was important to ensure he was there to supervise the installation of the entire MBL 101 Xtreme Reference system. Lots of little tricks and tips we could never have known. His help and assistance was invaluable. He is a real amazing guy and a great asset.



    In the end, we were done in less than 6 hours with the setup. The precision engineering of this entire system is simply something to behold. Everything fits together like a glove, as you would expect from German engineering.

    The system takes about 100 hours to fully break in. We will be running it non-stop. The amount of adjustability of the speakers and bass towers is fantastic. There is a soft dome tweeter on top of the speakers (which I didn’t know about until we were piecing it together). This certainly adds ambience

    At the end of the day, this is one system everyone must hear. Incredible.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
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  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Jan 2014
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    Bluffton SC
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    754

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Wow! That’s some system Mike.
    Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Marantz TT-42
    Power: 3 x 20 Amp Lines, Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Shunyata Sigma v2 NR, Block Audio Power Cords, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
    Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - Alpha CGS cables
    Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon Modified) Buffalo GS2016 Switches powered with Keces P3 LPSU,
    Cables: Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 SCs, 1M & 6M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
    Other: Isoacoustics GAIA I footers on the Kharmas, GIK/Vicoustics/Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Ultra SS, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack

  3. #3
    Senior Member
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    Aug 2017
    Location
    Iowa City, IA
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    399

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Thanks for sharing a behind the scenes look. Truly remarkable effort. I have set up for audio shows in the past and understand what an effort it is. Putting together a system of this magnitude is quite a commitment. Wish I could be there to hear the fruits of your labor.
    Morgan

    NEW SYSTEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION

  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    Apr 2013
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    SE Michigan
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    Re: The Road To XTreme

    After reading that, I need a minute.....


    Jim

    D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
    Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
    Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
    Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
    Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
    Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
    Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest

  5. #5

    The Road To XTreme

    Simply amazing The Road To XTreme.

    This is where you really can start to talk about a system and engineering. I do not have eight double power sockets behind my system, 1m deep amps would not fit my rack, the space required to accommodate the MBL 101 Xtreme system would probably mean there is no more room left for me.

    What is the room size recommendation for this system, when I buy my next house?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  6. #6
    Audioshark
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    Apr 2013
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    Sarasota, FL
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    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Quote Originally Posted by Kuoppis View Post
    Simply amazing The Road To XTreme.

    This is where you really can start to talk about a system and engineering. I do not have eight double power sockets behind my system, 1m deep amps would not fit my rack, the space required to accommodate the MBL 101 Xtreme system would probably mean there is no more room left for me.

    What is the room size recommendation for this system, when I buy my next house?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    I’ve had this conversation many times with MBL. There are so many adjustments on the back of the speakers and bass towers that allow the entire system to fit into as small as a 14 x 16 room. Not joking. They designed the system so they would fit into smaller rooms in Asia and elsewhere.

    There is an optimal size and Juergen has it available for anyone designing a listening room.

    The listening room they are in is 20 x 25. They certainly don’t feel too big. We will in fact have no issues getting in three rows of chairs for the event on Saturday.

    Despite their total weight per tower, they are designed to easily slide around (one person can move them). The bass towers at nearly 1200 pounds might be best with two people. Oh, and there are 12, 12 inch powered bass drivers which will go flat to 16hz. The bass adjustments on the back are incredible for dialing into any room.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  7. #7

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Congratulations! The Road To XTremeThe Road To XTremeThe Road To XTreme

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    North Central Florida
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    3,483

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Dan

    STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital coax,
    Sonos Connect, Stillpoints Ultra SS & Ultra Mini, PurePower 2000, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario

    LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205 Signal Sleuth, Sonos Connect, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable,
    Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD40 w/m505A tonearm, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Stillpoints Ultra Mini, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113

    VINTAGE - McIntosh 4300V, McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, JBL 4312A

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Bluffton SC
    Posts
    754

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    What, what, 12 x 12” drivers?
    Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Marantz TT-42
    Power: 3 x 20 Amp Lines, Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Shunyata Sigma v2 NR, Block Audio Power Cords, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
    Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - Alpha CGS cables
    Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon Modified) Buffalo GS2016 Switches powered with Keces P3 LPSU,
    Cables: Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 SCs, 1M & 6M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
    Other: Isoacoustics GAIA I footers on the Kharmas, GIK/Vicoustics/Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Ultra SS, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Posts
    1,775

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Congrats, Mike. Is this on permanent demo?
    Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12

  11. #11

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Mike, I think you need to get some crankyivan undies,...

  12. #12
    Senior Member
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    Oct 2018
    Location
    Argentina
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    416

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Amazing Mike, congratulations !!! thanks for sharing.

  13. #13

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Very Impressive.
    Wish I lived closer to experience this system.
    Rick

    PS Audio BHK 250 Amp
    PS Audio BHK Preamp
    Marantz NA-11S1
    Vandersteen Quatro Cloth

  14. #14

    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Oh my God !
    Thanks for the post. I had no idea of the mighty work behind a huge system like this.

    Quote Originally Posted by still-one View Post
    After reading that, I need a minute.....


    Me too

  15. #15
    Senior Member
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    Apr 2013
    Location
    Belgium
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    Re: The Road To XTreme

    Mike, wow wow wow!
    Huge congrats.

    I spent the better part of a day with this system, and it is a true end game system.
    When you hear this, you can only say to yourself: I could live with this sound for the rest of my life.

    Yes indeed, "vaut le voyage" (worth the travel) as they say in the Michelin guide for a three star system.

    Audiosharkers: do that trip to Mike!
    It will change your ideas about high end audio.
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

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The Road To XTreme

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