2. amps-preamps
  3. 136835-20132

Amplification for Magico S1 (mk i)

Hello,

I could use some advice.
I own a pair of Magico S1 (mk i) and I was running them with a Mcintosh 7000.   I didn't love the sound- soundstage seemed a little too recessed and flat;  on the other hand the width was quite good.   What is interesting, and which surpised me, was that the Mac had to work hard to drive the S1's which are not an the easiest load at 4ohm (which can dip to a tad over 3) and have a sensitivity of 86db.  Still the Mac should not have had any problems negotiating this speaker so I was a little puzzled- on several occasions the Mac clipped without playing particularly load.
Anyway, it turns out the Mac had something wrong with it and it is now in for service.  In the meantime, when I got the Magico's I was planning to move to separates anyway which brings me to the original question- what amplification might work well?
I currently own a Primaluna Dialogue premium pre-amp which I always wanted to try.  So now I am looking for some good amplifier choices.  I have the possibility of picking up a pair of rogue M180's but I have also been very intrigued by some of the new interesting solid state options that have cropped recently- namely:
PS Audio M700
Benchmark AHB2 (single unit in stereo)

I am trying to stick to somewhere around $3k, new or used, and these seem like some very exciting products.  I realize I will only be able to judge with my own ears but I would be interested in hearing your views and considerations as to which way to go (including the rogue).

Many thx.
pgastone

Showing 3 responses by pgastone

pgastone OP
77 posts
 
yes, i had thought about Pass Labs- if i could find a good .5 series I would consider it although they tend to be fairly expensive even used.  Is 250 watts necessary for the S1?
Notwithstanding the issues I had with Mac I am running the S1 with a Unison Research Unico SE, which is rated at some 140 watts into 8 ohms but i barely manage to turn up the volume knob 1/5 to 1/4 of the way before it gets much too loud.
pgastone OP
77 posts
 
thanks guys- it is very useful to hear your experiences- I am kind of leaning towards the rogues.  I don't know how well the primaluna and rogues would mate but i don't there should be an issue (if u have thoughts on that as well let me know.   The 180's should drive the Magico's nicely...I just hope I will not "over-tubing" the system.   Weird thing to say for someone who was running a mastersound compact 845 into Zu Druids and then Focal Micro Be's (this last combination was often spectacular).
But ultimately it is about synergy-  S1, M180, and Primaluna preamp would seem alright "in theory".
pgastone OP
77 posts
 
I'd love to get the Primaluna's with KT150's- it's just that they are a bit out of budget- a used single unit usu goes for $3000 and that is with EL34's.
Nobody seems to be getting a warm fuzzy feeling from my suggestion on the M180's.  I have not heard them but from what I have read they come highly recommended and do not sound overly tubey.
But maybe I should rethink?
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