How do i know


People always tell me to use my ears. But sometimes i find i difficult just to trust my ears. For example. I want to buy MBL N-15 power mono amps. So far so good. But if i go for MBL pre also, then they dont have dac and pre in one body. And MBL dont have a streamer. And here in Norway there is no store that have them both, so i cant get a way to listen to them together. 
So i am thinking. What about if i instead of MBL pre and dac, instead buy the lovely Ayre QX-5 twenty Pre / Dac and streamer in one. So far so good. But how can i know without hearing them together, know that the Ayre QX-5 Twenty and MBL-15 mono power amps fits together
128x128heidrun
@inna 

Good advice.

@heidrun

-If you have Mbl speakers then the mono's would be a no-brainer purchase. An all-Mbl system is the way to go. I've heard the Nobel line amps several times, with I believe the 101 E Mk II - it was an all-Mbl system. For me, I love this sound and would have it in my home if $$ were no object. My aspiration is to the Corona line.

As an alternative, you could consider the Mbl N51 integrated with the N31 CD/DAC. I have not heard this combo but have heard the Corona line integrated with the CD/DAC and it was very much like the Noble line just a bit smaller in scale and take into consideration that that system used the Mbl126 speaker. All of the Mbl systems I've heard have a similar house sound. The one time I heard Mbl speakers with a different electronics manufacturer, it didn't have the Mbl sparkle and ease I love so much about an all-Mbl system. 

You may do well to call Jeremy at Mbl and ask his advice.

BTW, what are your speakers and other components?
Yeah, the Stockholm dealer posted in Gryphon thread.
I would say that unless you are going to use MBL speakers as well, there is little need to only consider MBL.
There’s someone on here that goes by sidekick_i who owns a shop in Stockholm and carries some very well respected audio brands. I’m sure he or she would be able to help you out.
If you are buying new, from the same manufacturer, reach out to the manufacturer and perhaps they could point you to another dealer even in another country that would be willing to demo for you and perhaps help make those arrangements for a demonstration. Coming through the manufacturer, you may get treated very well by such a dealer, even if they aren’t the selling agent due to territorial restrictions that may be in place. It’s a plane ticket, and maybe an excuse for a weekend get away. Worth a try.
Otherwise, agreed. It’s hard to assess stuff until you get it in your room, in your system, and live with it for a while. That’s why there’s so much turnover in gear, leaving aside the "gotta have the latest" mentality.
It's called "paying your dues". It would be wonderful if you knew which equipment would meet all of your needs for the rest of time. Which recordings would suite your taste. Of course we don't know this. We would save so much money. So educate yourself and learn to read between the lines in audio reviews. Take some chances and one day you may have what you want.



Heidrun,
Look for upcoming audio shows in Northern Europe or wherever you can journey to, and check out the brands that are showing such as Ayre. Dealers are also usually listed. Now you can trust your ears.

I purchased Horning Hybrid speakers from Denmark after hearing them at the RMAF show in Colorado. I went there to listen to another speaker that got great reviews and that I was ready to get, but their sound did not do it for me. I do my very best not to purchase what I do not hear.
Kenny