I'm not a Maggie dealer, but I've owned 3.6's. I sell JC-1s and Wolcotts and Atma-Spheres.
I understand what Mrtennis is saying about solid state amps. To my ears the JC-1 is smooth and grain-free in the top end, which is one of the reasons I like it. So far I have not heard as nice a top end in a beefy solid state amp for less than twice the price of the JC-1 (not saying such doesn't exist - I just haven't found it yet). Now the JC-1 does have a very extended top end, which some like and some don't.
The sonic character of the Wolcott amp is largely determined by the setting of the variable damping factor (variable output impedance) control. If the damping factor is set too high, the soundstage collapes and the tibmre becomes hard and edgy. From Mrtennis's description, I would guess that the damping factor was set too high on those Wolcotts. But the Wolcott is not an especially warm, lush amplifier. In my opinion, such an amplifier is not an ideal match for the Maggies because the Maggies tend to be warm and lush already - I think a better synergy is an amplifier that gives very good dynamic contrast (without screwing something else up), as in my opinion this is where the Maggies could use some help.
A pair Atma-Sphere MA-2's would probably work great as Slipknot says, but I haven't heard the combination so can't speak from experience. They are a bit pricey though. Maybe a used pair??
Just my $.02.
Duke
I understand what Mrtennis is saying about solid state amps. To my ears the JC-1 is smooth and grain-free in the top end, which is one of the reasons I like it. So far I have not heard as nice a top end in a beefy solid state amp for less than twice the price of the JC-1 (not saying such doesn't exist - I just haven't found it yet). Now the JC-1 does have a very extended top end, which some like and some don't.
The sonic character of the Wolcott amp is largely determined by the setting of the variable damping factor (variable output impedance) control. If the damping factor is set too high, the soundstage collapes and the tibmre becomes hard and edgy. From Mrtennis's description, I would guess that the damping factor was set too high on those Wolcotts. But the Wolcott is not an especially warm, lush amplifier. In my opinion, such an amplifier is not an ideal match for the Maggies because the Maggies tend to be warm and lush already - I think a better synergy is an amplifier that gives very good dynamic contrast (without screwing something else up), as in my opinion this is where the Maggies could use some help.
A pair Atma-Sphere MA-2's would probably work great as Slipknot says, but I haven't heard the combination so can't speak from experience. They are a bit pricey though. Maybe a used pair??
Just my $.02.
Duke