Last weekend, as you have read in Jacques' fantastic thread, my wife, Spirit Crusher, Jacques and I went to the MBL show in Brasschaat, near Antwerp.
Jacques' review here:
https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=42303
MBL has been something special in my personal audiophile history.
After intense listening to music when I was younger, I got involved in other hobbies, to the point my best system was the Harman Kardon in my BMW!
Later, some 10 years ago, I bought an entry level B&W surround set (XT-series) with a Pioneer receiver.
Half decent for movies, but soon I wanted more. Much more.
I listened to Monitor Audio, B&W 800 series, KEF Reference,...
Until, some 9 years ago, I attended my first 'Cost Is No Object Show' in Antwerp, with a couple of MBL set-ups.
The 101E moved me in such a way I wept.
At that time, an MBL system was/seemed unobtainable for me, but I knew what I was striving for: to get as close as possible to that experience.
So I was looking forward to this show, a lot.
Also because it was a unique opportunity to experience their Reference Line.
Normally you can only hear it in Munich, or in Berlin, in their own showroom.
How Sammy managed to get MBL and their 2000 kg of gear to Antwerp remains a mystery to me.
He must be very convincing.
And we were lucky enough to be able to visit!
3 systems were demoed.
Let us start with the most modest one: the
Corona Line, with the
111F speakers.
Outside that room, this integrated from the Corona Line:
