Tidal Ferios G2 and Marten Coltrane Supreme 2 MK2 System
Marten Coltrane Supreme 2 MK2 towers are driven here by two Tidal Ferios G2 monoblocks, with a Tidal Contros G2 working as streamer, DAC and preamplifier in one chassis. The same room ran three more setups, so the demonstration moved between Swedish passive towers, the powered Tidal AP1, MBL omnidirectional speakers and a Swiss Soulution chain.
The system at a glance
The main chain has three component types, all digital, from network input to speaker. A second Tidal setup replaces amplifiers and passive towers with the AP1, listed at EUR 185,000 per pair and fed by an analogue XLR signal. MBL paired its N31 CD-DAC and N51 integrated amplifier with the 120 and 111 F, and a Lumin S2 fed a Soulution 326 preamplifier and 312 power amplifier driving Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand Reference towers.
Why these components work together
Marten rates the five-way Coltrane at 91 dB at 2.83 V, 6 ohm nominal and 3.2 ohm minimum, with first-order crossovers at 120 Hz, 450 Hz, 3.5 kHz and 8 kHz. Seven 8 inch woofers and six rear passive radiators make the low dip a current question. Each Ferios G2 gives 400 W into 8 ohm and 800 W into 4 ohm from two 800 VA toroids and 500,000 uF of storage. The Contros sets level inside its discrete non-oversampling R2R ladder DAC and runs a balanced Class A output, and one LAN cable switches the amplifiers on. In the Swiss chain the 312 delivers 100 W into 8 ohm, doubles into 4 ohm, reaches 30 A peak and has a damping factor above 5,000, against 90 dB and 4 ohm for the Beethoven. The S2 uses two ES9038PRO chips and Lundahl output transformers, and the 326 steps volume in 80 relay-switched 1 dB steps. MBL's N51 uses LASA 2.0 amplifier technology for 210 W into 8 ohm and 380 W into 4 ohm, matching the 4 ohm rating of both MBL speakers, while the N31 converter keeps 3 dB of reserve against intersample overloads.
How it sounds
With amplifier power doubling into lower loads, the Coltrane keeps its bass weight and attack on orchestral and electronic material at high levels. The first-order network keeps timing between drivers coherent, so voices hold a stable place. The MBL pair spreads sound around the room, giving a broad stage that changes little with seat.
Considering a similar setup
Current into 3.2 ohm matters more with the Coltrane than raw watts, so any replacement amplifier should double its output into 4 ohm. Keeping the Contros and moving to the AP1 cuts the box count and removes amplifier matching altogether. The 120 suits rooms up to 35 m2, while MBL gives about 60 m2 for the 111 F.
12 components
- Preamplifiers
CONTROS (G2)
by TIDAL
The TIDAL Contros (G2) is a high-performance digital music controller (DAC with streaming) created as a central link in high-end TIDAL audio systems. This device is designed to simplify the management of audio content while maintaining the highest sound quality.
- Power amplifiers mono
Ferios G2
by TIDAL
The TIDAL Audio Ferios G2 is a high-end monaural power amplifier (monoblock), the second generation of the model, first introduced in 2017.
- Floorstanding loudspeakers
COLTRANE SUPREME 2
The Coltrane Supreme 2 is an floorstanding 5-way loudspeaker with 0.75-inch and 2-inch diamond drivers, 5-inch ceramic and 8-inch aluminum. The power is 500 watts.
- Floorstanding loudspeakers
AP1
by TIDAL
The AP1 model has four long-range omnipolarizing subwoofers that reproduce the lowest frequencies with exceptional accuracy and four highly efficient front drivers include two low-frequency speakers, a midrange driver and a diamond tweeter.
- CD / SACD players and transports
N31
by Mbl
The MBL N31 is an integrated device (digital amplifier + DAC) that combines a CD transport and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in one package. The model is part of the Noble Line series and is positioned as a high-end component for audio systems.
- Integrated amplifiers
N51
by Mbl
The MBL N51 is an integrated amplifier from the flagship Noble Line series of the German MBL brand, combining the functions of a preamp and an end stage. The model stands out for its powerful sound, advanced technology and thoughtful ergonomics.
- Bookshelf Speakers
120
by Mbl
The MBL 120 is a floorstanding loudspeaker that creates a three-dimensional sound that matches the sound of music in a concert hall.
- Floorstanding loudspeakers
111 F
by Mbl
The MBL 111 F gets its hybrid character from two power-compensated chassis at the bottom of the midrange, providing virtually unlimited dynamics and an impressive, immersive effect on the listener.
- Preamplifiers
326 preamplifier
The device operates in the frequency range from 0 Hz to 2 MHz. Speaking of switching capabilities, the amplifier is equipped with a pair of balanced XLR inputs, a pair of unbalanced RCA, one balanced XLR output and one unbalanced RCA.
- Power amplifiers stereo
312 stereo amplifier
The 312 stereo power amplifier is equipped with four modern switching power supplies providing power up to 4,200 VA. The increase in instantaneous power has made the stereo amplifier sound more powerful than its predecessors.
- Floorstanding loudspeakers
Beethoven Concert Grand Reference
The technical innovations are based on patented flat membrane drivers, ranging from 15-centimeter midrange drivers to two 15-centimeter low-frequency drivers. The drivers are designed for impressive midrange reproduction and stunning, accurate performance in the low frequency range.