I'd shop for a pre-built pair of CLS. Old panels can still be fine at this point - there's no specific reason they should not be. new panels from ML are ridiculously overpriced, IMNSHO.
I've had several pairs of MLs. Nothing in the list above is better than the CLS as far as imaging, overall...
Why would the panels be incompatible?
That sounds like BS to me. From what I have read in the past, the panels were the same between I and II. At least the replacement ones supplied from ML were supposed to be the same, according to multiple sources.
Given the panel is a passive device, what...
II panels will fit I
"discontinuing" support for CLS1 seems like it would only affect the electronics. The panels are the same or interchangable between II and I variants, from what I have read.
I have CLS 1, and power them with 845 SET amps sometimes. It works out fine, they have maybe 20w...
Thanks for pics
Good info to have, nice to see how they have changed over the years. Mine are the early ones, like in the first pic. (trans on outside).
-Ed
I have some CLS 1 like that...
I don't think mine have quite that provenance, but they do have the external transformer mounted on the outside of the box. I will have to check serial numbers. I think the panels were replaced a few years ago. The frames are mahogany, which is a pretty rare wood...