Carver Amazing or Magnepan?


Hello, I am going to be purchasing some new speakers in the next few months and would like some suggestions. I was thinking about some Carver Amazing original or Platinum Mark IV. Either those or some Magnepan MMG's with a Sunfire subwoofer or two. I usually listen to hard rock/heavy metal 20% of the time, soft(er) rock 15%, radio 10%, classical 10-15% and the rest of the time is for home theater. Right now I have a decent Marantz HT reciever, a cheap Kenwood 200 disc changer and an original Sunfire stereo amp. The speakers I am using now are some cheap Cerwin Vega's. My next purchase will be a Sunfire Ultimate reciever after I get some decent speakers. I have never used or even really heard planar speakers before. My budget is about $1500. I was thinking about the Maggie's because of the reasonable cost and I could add a sub(s) if I thought I needed it later. If I did go this route, which Sunfire sub would you reccomend? My two concerns about going this way: I don't know if I will like the planar sound (but my ears aren't very sensitive anyway) and I am kind of worried about blowing the Maggie's up with 600 wpc. For some reason there is no rating on Magnepan's site. Also, is it hard to sync subs with planars? I have never needed a sub before. Now the Carvers...main concern...service. I don't want to have to send them out all the time and pay 100's of dollars to have them repaired. I realize this could be an issue with the Maggie's later but that is later. And to anyone who would reccomend the Carvers...should I get the original of Platinum? I know the originals are 4 ohm so I would have 600 wpc going to them and I'm not sure what the Platinums are. My room is about 15' X 15' X 8' Replies are much appreciated! Thanks!
audiophile73

Showing 1 response by bradz

I use a Innersound esl amp with my magnepan 1.6's which puts out 600w into 4 ohms and sounds good with no problems. The Sunfire amp would work fine with the magnepans.Has anyone heard the new Strata5 or Stampede subs from REL? The reviews have been very favorable for them and the new models now include remote control from the listening position and a blue display on the front panel. I'm considering using either one of these subs and/or using Mye stands. Any thoughts?