Amp recommendation for Maggies 1.6Q


I listen mostly to jazz at relatively low levels and currently power the Maggies with a Jolida 302a. Although resloution is detailed and soundstage is wide, the music sounds distant, sterile and not-involving. Is this a result of a low power amp?
The source is a Simaudio Equinox CDP running through a Vintage VTL preamp.
What are your amp recommendations to get an involving sound?
giorgioh

Showing 4 responses by nsgarch

In addition to Maggies needing lots of good SS power, it should also be noted that they (usually, I don't know about the 1.6Q) need to be cranked up before they come alive (achieve flat freq. response and full dynamics)

I suggest that anyone hoping to enjoy their Maggies from time to time at lower levels (like at parties, or while reading or having dinner) invest in a hi quality equalizer to stick in the tape loop of your preamp. That way you can kick up the bass, mid-bass, and the hi's to give the sound some richness at low levels. Nor much you can do to restore dynamics at low levels though -- just have to play them moderately loud for that.

Same deal was/is true for Apogees. Those membranes are heavy compared to those of electrostats, so they need power to achieve their design potential. Tubes will never do, unfortunately.
Giorgioh, the only way I think you can have both the power you need (SS) and warmth you want (tubes) with Maggies is to get a great SS amp like a Mark Levinson 23.5 -- almost tube-like and a great buy used (avoid the 23) and them get a really great tube preamp with (if you do analog) a tube phono stage (built in to the preamp if possible). Now that will give you just what you're looking for -- except for what I said before about low listening levels.
Dave, I'm sure the Apogees are more refined than the Maggies and you're right, they sound good at low levels too. As I recall, many people biamped them, using tubes for the ribbon -- or is my memory failing?
Georgioh, in the "golden age" Levinson (Madrigal) period, there were the 20 (amp) 23 (amp) 25 (phono pre) 26 (preamp) and 27 (amp).

Improvements were made to all of them kicking them into major new orbits, sonically. New type circuit board material, teflon capacitors and metal film resistors, improved power supplies (in the amps) etc.

The new designations (respectively) were the 20.5 and 20.6 (amps) 25s (phono pre) 26s (preamp) and 27.5 (amp). These are all still very much sought after for their extreme quietness and almost tube-like musicality.

I had a 23 and then a 23.5 and the difference was quite remarkable (I still have my 23.5 after 15 years!)