#1
|
||||
|
||||
MBL Corona line
Anyone own or extensively demoed MBL's Corona line of electronics, specifically the C51 integrated, but other pieces as well? Just finished reading TAS' review of the C51 in May/June issue and it piqued my interest. Thanks.
|
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Corona C51 Evaluation
After reading the review in the absolute sound I arranged with the local MBL distributor to audition the integrated amplifier. My speakers are the Wilson Audio Sasha W/P series 1. They are known to gave a difficult impedance load at some of the lower frequencies. To summarize I am greatly impressed with the C51. It has a very open revealing sound with the Sashas and plenty of heft for the lowest frequencies. The amp never seems to be working hard and is barely warm to the touch after playing spectacular sonic hi-Rez files down loaded from HDTracks. I was so impressed I purchased the unit.
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
drlwstoll, welcome to AA!
__________________
Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
drlwstoll....thank you for sharing your experience and welcome to AA
Can you tell us a little bit more? What did the C51 replace? What's the rest of your system? How natural does the C51 sound? Does it do a good job with presenting clearly defined images on a wide and deep stage? Would appreciate whatever else you can comment on the unit. Thanks. Last edited by cmalak; 05-10-2014 at 12:56 PM. |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
drlwstoll... Welcome to AA!
__________________
Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Spent an hour listening to the C51 on a pair of 121 compacts in Montreal in a closed door setup session - hard to judge the C51 when I had never heard the 121's before. I did note that the MBL rep was tuning the 121 "down" a fair bit to take some upper freq. edge off - obviously speaker related to the room setup but the C51 has awesome low end and imaged very well. Very quiet (as expected) and dynamic - had no issuer driving the 121's to very loud levels.
I heard other systems in that price range (and higher) such as D'Agostino on a pair of Wilson's and I much preferred the MBL setup - had a certain smoothness but dynamic tonality that was mesmerizing. MBL was one of my favorite systems from the show - it does many things very well. Don't know if that helps but good luck.
__________________
Analog system: VPI Classic 2 w/Lyra Delos cart – Pathos ”In the Groove” Phono Stage – Pathos “TT” Integrated (RR Version) – Odeon No. 28 SE speakers – Wireworld cabling Digital System: Devialet Expert Pro 220 amplifier – Dali Fazon F5 speakers – Kimber/Wireworld Cabling |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
lakesailor...thx very much for the feedback
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
More on a Corona C51 system
my system with the new Corona C51 includes the Bryston BDP-2 Media player as the primary source. The Media player and an Oppo BDP-105 provide digital data to a DCS Vivaldi DAC. I had been using the Vivaldi directly linked to Boulder 850 Monoblocks. Cabling is all transparent and Nordost. My Wilson Audio Sasha speakers recently replaced Thiel 3.7s that I had liked very much for a number of years. I upgraded because I wanted more of the full range sound associated with full symphonic orchestral music. The Wilson's got me most of the way but I did not always feel the utmost dynamism in the music. I am playing music louder with the Corona in the chain, hearing great depth and presence in the sound, and to my mind musicality much closer to live sound of major orchestras in a symphony hall. Piano and vocals are top notch also.
|
|
|
Audio Aficionado Sponsors | |