MSB M204 monoblocks
- Thread starter walesi
- Start date
On certain recordings, I've not yet heard to this day, another brand of speakers that can touch the Apogee's vocals.
Ken
The Scintillas and have Full Range have a pure ribbon, so the vocals on those are even better, as compared to the Duetta which is Kapton backed ribbon. The Analysis Audio also are good at vocals, as they are based on Apogees. But where the Apogees when set up properly with enough current and power excel is the bass and dynamics. The whole plane of the speakers kicks at you with the typani or the kick drum, the bass is in space rather than in a driver, and the bass decay is fabulous.
I am also a tube guy, have almost 40 tubes in the system... But you would be suprised how close msb came compared to vtls. I must admit If Ked would not come to my house I would never made such a thorough comparison. I let them playing when he left and they only got better. There was a third person in a room when we did compare the amps and he preferred msb. He used 'more delicate' as a descriptor. I think that today's top ss can be very close to top tube and vice versa. Modern top ss can have many properties of good tube (bloom, 3d) and also modern tube amps do have many ss properties (bass control, dynamics).
hifinutt
New member
not heard a ref 10 but i did see one recently in a repair shop . beautiful piece of kit but took a very long time to get repaired and 2 boxes is a pain to ship .
I can tell you that the Ref 10 sounds even better than it looks. In fact, it's the best sounding preamp I've heard. Body, dimension and dynamics in spades. It never ceases to amaze me. I've had mine for a year and it has worked flawlessly. Almost all of my gear is made in the USA, so shipping back to the manufacturer for the occasional repair is never a problem. Other preamps that have graced my listening room include the Cary SLP-05, Pass Labs XP-30, Soulution 520, VAC Master and ARC Ref 6.
Ken
Phil, you might remember Steve who used to run KJ West One. I had been listening at his client's place with him, comparing Ypsilon PST1, the older Dartzeel pre, and Berning pre. Through Dart and Constellation amps, into Wilson Alexia 1. I had taken my Lampi along for the source. The guy there owned an AR Ref 10 which was in his other room, I was so not willing to try it initially as I am not a fan of Ref 3 or 5 or 5SE (they are good but not great). At the end we had time, so put in the Ref 10 and it just blew away everyone. So much more bass, soundstage behind, at the sides, decay, and ambience. And great drive. I think the added power supply improved the bass performance and details on orchestral. I haven't heard the Ref 40 but it is similar to the 10, just discontinued, 10 has some user friendly panels and a couple of caps. So the 40 is possibly the best buy.
hifinutt
New member
ah yes , i remember steve .!