As stated here above unfortunately the 1.6's do require a lot of watts. Further because of their flat 4 ohm load impedance they also require a lot of current which really means a good SS amp with a beafy power supply. Also due to the Magies' single ended magnet arrangement and the large driver surface area, good amounts of damping factor is also a requisite for control of the diaphragm.
A lot of Magie 1.6QR owners, myself included are using Odyssey Stratos amps that go around $1,100 new and $800 to $900 used. They pretty much meet the above requirements putting out 150W into 8 ohms and 280W into 4ohms and most imortantly having a good size power supply for current delivery. It's a very nice and sweet sounding amp with very good bass response albeit not a tubey sounding one (don't know any SS amp that sounds like tubes anyway) that is higly regarded many audiophiles. Paired with a good tube pre the stratos will let the warmth from the tubes come through and again that's what a great number of Magie/Stratos owners have in their systems. There's also an upgrade to the Stratos that costs about $75 and which doubles the storage capacitance of the power supply for even greater current capability.
You might also want to check, if not having done so already the following two forums for a lot more info on Magnepans and Odyssey respectively:
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MUG/bbs.html
http://audiocircle.com/circles/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=6faff33bd59eace7a0c39369a25c40a8
Happy listening!
A lot of Magie 1.6QR owners, myself included are using Odyssey Stratos amps that go around $1,100 new and $800 to $900 used. They pretty much meet the above requirements putting out 150W into 8 ohms and 280W into 4ohms and most imortantly having a good size power supply for current delivery. It's a very nice and sweet sounding amp with very good bass response albeit not a tubey sounding one (don't know any SS amp that sounds like tubes anyway) that is higly regarded many audiophiles. Paired with a good tube pre the stratos will let the warmth from the tubes come through and again that's what a great number of Magie/Stratos owners have in their systems. There's also an upgrade to the Stratos that costs about $75 and which doubles the storage capacitance of the power supply for even greater current capability.
You might also want to check, if not having done so already the following two forums for a lot more info on Magnepans and Odyssey respectively:
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MUG/bbs.html
http://audiocircle.com/circles/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=6faff33bd59eace7a0c39369a25c40a8
Happy listening!