Tempted with SBL's

Well the 200 will drive SBLs nicely, so if you fancy chancing on old speakers, then give it a try.

I ran SBLs for many years on a 200 and later a Nait 5i, which was actually nicer in my view. With the 200 the pre-amp was the legendary 52 ...

ATB from George

Given that a normal demo might be tricky, perhaps you could pick up a cheaper (mk1?) pair and try them out.

If you don't get on with them, there shouldn't be much of a loss selling them on again. Whereas if you like them, you'll know that a really good pair will be a better version of a known quantity.

That's what I did, and now have a nice mk2 walnut pair, with my first cheaper pair waiting to be sold on at some point.

SBLs are superb speakers and will work very well indeed in your room. As you note, setting up is actually straightforward (some good setup information if you Google it) and unless you're ham-fisted is unlikely to go wrong. You'll get your money back if you really don't like them, but they're one of the great speaker designs. And later, you can go active! 

You really can't go wrong but be careful. You ideally need a set of mk 2s. Also check they are set up properly particularly the gasket seal. It's worth checking the forum for set up advice.They need transporting very carefully. That said they will open up an exciting upgrade path in particular an active set up. I have had a set of mk 2s for 15 years and they are working superbly in a high end active system.

SBLs are a real classic. As others have said, get a pair with the later bass drivers (they have a flat surround without a raised lip). Never ever transport them assembled. 

SBLs are superb speakers. I had a pair of Mark 2s for fifteen years and loved them (I found them more effective slightly away from the wall) only changing them when a mint pair of SL2s became available. SBLs will continually improve as you upgrade, and you should really aim to run them actively if you can eventually. Then they really come into their own, with stunning clarity and definition. A truly legendary speaker... and setting them up isn't hard. As others have said, there's loads of excellent advice on here and on the net.

Mike Kent posted:

SBLs are superb speakers. (..) (I found them more effective slightly away from the wall) 

Mike, you'll never know why I smile here (nothing with you or your post), but someone does...

Max

I would thoroughly recommend trying out some SBLs on your system. I find mine wonderfully engaging even though I have had the same pair in my system since 1988! They have been serviced regularly with new crossovers, drive units and grills over the years however. They are ruthlessly revealing and sound great with the sources I use which include an HDX, Linn lp12/ekos/kandid and nat 02 tuner. I'd be at a loss to know what to replace them with other than perhaps SL2s. I used to work in broadcast studios often recording live music and it often wasnt until I listened to the music at home on the SBLs that I could actually hear how the well the musicians were playing!

Thank you everyone for the great response, much appreciated. If I do decide to take the plunge, I'd definitely look for the MKII version. 

Additionally I hope I can find a pair that have been cherished over the years and are in immaculate condition.

I'm really enjoying the balance of my system at the moment, but I can't help but feel I can improve things by adding some better speakers (SBLs)

Ian.

Feel free to drop me a line if you need any advice. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Feel free to drop me a line if you need any advice. 

Thanks Nigel, will do.

Ian.

I once owned a pair of SBL MK2 speakers, I think that they need to be real close to a solid brick wall, and a floor with heavy carpeting to sound optimally.

My dealer says that when you really like a piece of equipment, you are ready to pay full price for it. If that was true, I would never have bought a single piece of HiFi equipment in my life. In fact, I am often not even ready to pay half of the original price for some gear I nonetheless like. HiFi is expensive, or else I am not enough interested in it. Or both.

SBLs are, presently, one of the true bargains in HiFi. Recently a pair of N-Sats was being offered on a German second hand site for €850 without stands – which is roughly twice what they are worth. I hope nobody will be so fool to buy them at such a price. I bought my SBLs for €690 because they were assembled and had no box. Then I spent €60 for the new grilles. At €750, they are unbeatable. Yes, I had to have them carried to me from Stuttgart assembled inside the luggage compartment of a Volvo, but they did it without a single scratch. Changing gaskets and pads is very easy and (my opinion only, subject to moderation!) replacements for the original parts can be used effectively. The gasket and pads kit costs a small fortune.

I say this because I am a very sceptical audio listener: I listen attentively, am extremely critical of every link in the chain beginning with composers and players, and constantly question (and most often doubt) any HiFi's capacity to be up to its task. But SBLs escape all judgment. They are the product of a very clever design, sound natural, are unobtrusive, in the proper context can give something resembling real musical pleasure. And when I look at them, at their outmoded appearance, the straight lines and the shape of a domestic Robot, and I compare them to the curvilinear graciousness of the N-Sats – my preferred speakers ever – I appreciate them a lot, and can't consider a replacement. This might not sound like a white heat love declaration, but considering what my feelings towards HiFi secretly are, I'd say that I love them, definitely.

Buy SBLs or I'll kill a puppy. 

Thanks again for all the advice. Forgot to mention that my room is carpeted, which should suit SBLs quite well. I think I might go for some

Ian.

Ian, They be not an albatross.

Chris

Christopher_M posted:

Ian, They be not an albatross.

Chris

Had to think for a moment on that Christopher. But I'm guessing you're a fellow Maiden fan ?

Ian.

Haha, very dry!

C.