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Magnepans

I'm kinda new to the plannar/magnepan world, but I am really interested in trying out a pair after all the reviews I've been reading. From what I understand these speakers are quite power hungry. What is the minimum I need to properly drive these? 
I currently have a VAC Avatar integrated tube amp. These are the stats:
Type: Integrated vacuum tube amplifier with MM phono stage and home theater (direct power amplifier) mode.
Tube Complement: two 12AX7 low noise (phono), two 12AX7 (line stage), three 12AU7/6189A (power amplifier), and four EL34 (power amplifier)
Options: Remote control for volume (motorized direct control) & mute
Power amplifier ("Home Theater" direct mode):
Output matching: 4 or 8 ohms nominal
Power output: 60 watts/channel ultra-linear; 27 watts/channel triode
Frequency response: 9 Hz - 35 kHz +0 / -0.5 dB, 3 Hz - 71 kHz +0 / -3.0 dB
Power bandwidth: 11 Hz - 63 kHz + 0 / -3.0 db ref. 50 watts
Gain: 25 dB ultra-linear; 23 dB triode
Residual noise: 1.5 mv at 8 ohm output
Channel separation: -72 dB @ 1 kHz; -60 dB @ 10 kHz
Line stage preamplifier:
Gain: 24 dB
Maximum input signal: Infinite (attenuation precedes line stage)
Noise contribution: Approx. 0.1 mv at power amplifier output 
THD contribution: Approx. 0.04% 
Tape output: Unity gain from selector, non-inverting 
Phono stage preamplifier: 
Gain: 37 dB (measured at tape output)
MC phono stage in place of the MM optional 
Residual noise: 3 mv at output (S/N ratio approx. 69 dB) 
Overload: 117 mv @ 1 kHz = 8 volts RMS output, 460 mv @ 10 kHz 
Frequency response: RIAA +/- 0.25 dB 
Notes: Does not invert absolute phase. 

Anyone know if these will do or if I'll have to upgrade? Love the tube sound . . . will I need to go solid state for Maggies? Thanks for putting up with the noobie question :) 
the_nature_boy

Showing 12 responses by randy-11

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
it isn't power per se so much as power into a lower impedance - there are impedance curves online for at least some models

IIRC, they get to about 4 ohms at higher freq.s

I use a Sunfire Cinema Grand biamping 1.5 QRs in a big room with no problems at all

BTW, easier load to drive than most electrostatics
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
they choose amps for use at shows and demos

I think they used Bryston to demo their bass panels
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
or use a transistor amp (MOSFETS anyone) in a topology that sounds tubey

add a real tubey pre-amp
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
just set them up and see - my room is much larger than that
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
ok, I use a Sunfire Cinema Grand amp to drive my 1.5QRs...

The $$ allocation should likely be better speakers, then better amp.  The 3.7's are acoustically smaller than the 1.7's so why not consider those? (That is fresh and straight from the horse's mouth - may even be on their web site).

I'd love to have Bryston's too but they are not cheap - maybe the Canad. dollar will fall to 1% of where it is now...

A Maggie dealer near me is using a Rogue for drive but it is still $4k.  I'd say go for the 3.7s first and may do the same myself.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
while the the 3.7 is a physically larger speaker than a 1.7, Maggie themselves will tell you it is acoustically smaller

so will sound better in a smaller room

3x more spendy tho
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
I'm curious as to what the least expensive amp to drive 3.7i would be...
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
cables and their distortion are totally up to you to pick - I suggest very short runs of lamp cord using monoblocks - then blind test some spendy cables (which will produce a reactive load and sound different, maybe not better) - tone controls and EQ, particularly in the digital realm, are the correct ways to alter the sound

both the 3.7s and the 1.7i would be upgrades to the 2.5's 

I just got back from the dealer's place and I can tell you the 3.7i's are a lot better sounding than the 1.7's (and thus the 1.7i's) - I thought vocals were a lot closer than sharp transients like brushes.  Also the larger and taller 3.7's do a better job at being a line source.

at 3x the price they should sound better, eh?

While I could not do blind testing there, the difference was significant and it would be a whale of a placebo effect if it was a visual difference not an aural one.  

I'll do some more listening next week probably.  And there may be a pair of 1.5QRs on the market in the PNW in a month or two...
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
frogman - do your upgrade comments apply to the newer speakers with upgraded stock crossovers?

e.g. 3.7's etc.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
it happens sometimes; dunno how often (i.e. what % of units)

pricing should reflect a risk factor for that and consequent repairs

you could call the factory and ask Wendell how often it happens and if it is related to being near the ocean, in the sun, etc. AND if they can estimate a repair cost
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
The AHB2 is definitely on my own amp list.  For MMGs you should not need an amp that powerful; you do need a fairly large ability to deliver current into a straight 4 ohm load

BTW, re cables - maggies are not a complex impedance load, no need for any fancy cable to change the sound

as an update to some posts above, I found and bought a used pair of 3.7i's and saved $2,000 - currently using a Sunfire to drive them


randy-11
1,913 posts
 
I do - only issue is the huge size and all-black ominous look to them

(at least they don't look like an alien predator about to eat me - like Wilsons)
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