Hey - are you checking your dB listening level with a meter? I thought I listened in the 90dB range but then once I got a meter, I was shocked to find out that it was more in the 102dB range! If you are in the same case as me, you may indeed need more power; otherwise your problem may not be the amp. Just a thought I guess. |
These Maggie speakers like a lot of juice to make them come alive, have tried mine with Pass Aleph's , Levinson, Legacy monoblocs, and the only two I found to drive them very well was the Bryston monoblocks ans the Rogue Audio monoblocks in the reasonable price categories. |
Thanks Aball, you're absolutely right. I do need to check with a db meter, as I am guessing that my listening range is around 90-95db. It will prove interesting to actually see what the true level of my listening sessions are! From their, I can go to the next step in determining if it is speaker or amp related. |
The pair I listened to at a dealer sounded MUCH better hooked up to a pair of Bryston 7B-ST's than they did hooked up to a 334. I know the 334 is a better sounding amp, so it has to be the power. Short answer, you need more juice! |
Audibleguy, I heard many positive things about using the Bryston amps with the Maggies, but unfortunately, have never heard the pairing. In doing some research into the matter, I have come across another three recomendations. They are the McCormack DNA-500 and the Spectron Musician II (both 500 watts per channel into 8 ohms and have read glowing reviews of both), and the BAT VK-500 (250 watts per channel into 8 ohms). Any thoughts on these three? |
Hi,
I have owned 3 pair of 3.6R's (love them but must keep
playing):o)...But will own another pair...
The best amp I have used with them (still own) is the
Spectron Musician amp. It has the power & finesse to drive
the Maggies like I had never heard before. Finally...bass
that would leave almost anyone not wishing for more. |
There have been a few very good threads about amps that work well on maggies try a search you will find a lot of great information. I suspect more power would cure your problem, the louder I play my maggies the better they sound right to the point where the volume is pinned :) |
You can never have too much power (unless it's poor) for those babies. I owned the Tympani 1Ds years ago powered with a Bryston 4B. I considered bridging the 4B with another. Now we're talking. |
Wharrenh is right. Maggies LOVE power. When I had the 3.6's, my best setup had them being driven by 2 Plinius SA100 mk3 amps in MONO (665 wpc into the Maggies). The Maggies LOVED it.
If you can afford the upgrade in power, I wholeheartedly suggest it.
Let us know the rest of your system, and I can makes some suggestions.
KF |
You can't have enough power for speakers like this. While quantity is important and more is better in terms of "watts", quality counts too. Sean |
I use a Bryston crossover feeding two McCormack DNA-1 deluxe amps. The 3.6/Rs never sounded good with one amp. My present setup works extremely well in my dedicated room which is 20'x30' with 10' walls and a 14' peak cathedral ceiling. No lack of power and excellent dynamics. Biamped Maggies are truly musical and a major step up from my experience with a single amp. |
Tok2000..Thanks for the response! The rest of my system is an Audio Aero Capitole MK II directly into the Lervinson driving the 3.6R's. In addition, I am using a REL Storm III sub. Speaker cables and interconnects are Cable Research Lab bronze. For a/c cables I am using a Gold FIM on the Levinson a bronze CRL on the CDP, and an Electraglide fat boy on the sub.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions that you may have. |
I've tried several amps on a pair of Maggie 12's. Ended up with a Counterpoint SA-20 (220 wpc). Two SA-20's would be good with the 3.6's....
Regards
Jim |
