I have the 3.6 and have tried them in biamp, stero, monoblocks, and they always sound musical. I use the Marchand XM44 and it is splendid, the XM26 is way too dark and veiled in comparison. The XM44 gets out of the way. I think you should consider the Bryston amplification as it is just magical on the maggies. All you need is the 14BSST though. The 28BSST will only add 3dB for a lot more money. These speakers are not for loud sessions, but for finesse. The Bryston are the best sounding SS amps on these speakers (Magnepan)period. In fact, they sound more tube like than my tubes. They are sweet, full bodied, and make me think I should have just bought the 14BSST, forgot the Marchand and lived with the simplicity of passive Xovers. In fact, I am using the 4BSST, and it sounds splendid until the lights flash (about 95dB spl large room) reminding me the 14BSST would have been a better choice, but the sound is so complete, with no grain, zero SS edge. I have tried the Pass preamp, the EAR 834, Music Reference RM5 MKIII, and the Quicksilver Full function modified, and the EAR and Quicksilver were the best, followed close by the MR, then the Pass. The Pass was just a bit lean. I have also tried the 20k CAT legend, and the CAT was great, but the Quickie was right there as was the EAR. Jallen
Bi-Amp Crossover Advice
I have 3 questions:
1)to finally bi-amp my Maggie 3.6R's I need a crossover and I am trying to decide between a Bryson 10b, Marchand 44 or Marchand 126. I plan on using the 2 amps and a sub, so I want to run one amp to the high/mid section of the Maggies and the other amp to the bass panel. Then I want to use the crossover to sum the low frequency and send to the sub (probably below 38hrz). I am shying away from the Marchand 126 because I have read several reviews that say it can color the sound, and I don't want that. I want to hear the amps, not the crossover. So any comments on the Marchand vs the Bryston??
1) I am keeping my Cary CAD 500 MB's for the bass panels, and either using the Cary 120s or (2)McIntosh MC275's bridged. I am leaning towards the Cary for continuity and cost. I am just wondering if 120w per channel is enough for the high/mid's? I am also thinking about the Rogue 150 MB's? Opinions on this set up? I like the idea of the McIntosh amps, I have always loved them, and even if the bi-amping doesn't float my boat, I would prob keep at least one of them, just because they are such awesome amps.
3) With the cost of this "improvement" should I just upgrade my amps to the Bryston 28sst instead? Net cost would be about the same>
Thanks.
1)to finally bi-amp my Maggie 3.6R's I need a crossover and I am trying to decide between a Bryson 10b, Marchand 44 or Marchand 126. I plan on using the 2 amps and a sub, so I want to run one amp to the high/mid section of the Maggies and the other amp to the bass panel. Then I want to use the crossover to sum the low frequency and send to the sub (probably below 38hrz). I am shying away from the Marchand 126 because I have read several reviews that say it can color the sound, and I don't want that. I want to hear the amps, not the crossover. So any comments on the Marchand vs the Bryston??
1) I am keeping my Cary CAD 500 MB's for the bass panels, and either using the Cary 120s or (2)McIntosh MC275's bridged. I am leaning towards the Cary for continuity and cost. I am just wondering if 120w per channel is enough for the high/mid's? I am also thinking about the Rogue 150 MB's? Opinions on this set up? I like the idea of the McIntosh amps, I have always loved them, and even if the bi-amping doesn't float my boat, I would prob keep at least one of them, just because they are such awesome amps.
3) With the cost of this "improvement" should I just upgrade my amps to the Bryston 28sst instead? Net cost would be about the same>
Thanks.