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Peachtree and Magnepan = No Bueno

Greetings all. A while ago I tried my Magnepan 1.7i with a Peachtree Nova 150 and found it to be a terrible combination sounding very thin, dull, quiet and having the imaging completely collapse. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this with a Peachtree/Magnepan combination and if Peachtree might be fudging some of their power output numbers or if it is a low current amp. Any ideas? Thanks!

The amp I normally use to power the 1.7i Maggies is a McIntosh MC275. I also tried the Peachtree with my Maggie MMGs and while it wasn’t a terrific combo it sounded much better than with the 1.7i. 
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10 responses Add your response
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,834 posts
 
Never owned either the Peachtree or the 1.7.

That said, I have owned Maggies before (1.6 and 3.5R) and I would be confident to say that Peachtree amps don't have the balls to drive Magnepans.

Oz



jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,608 posts
 
hegel

thanks me later

search youtube on hegel amps and magnepans, the folks at audio excellence outside toronto have very informative videos out on the subject - unlike other clowns on YT these guys properly audition, have a lot of experience, no bs

(no affiliation, just a happy owner)
joey54
431 posts
 
Check out these reviews of the Peachtree Nova 220SE using Magnepan 3.7's and 1.6's.

https://www.tonepublications.com/review/peachtree-nova220se-integrated-amplifier/

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/peachtree-audio-nova-220se-integrated-amplifierdacheadphone...
flashhog's avatar
flashhog OP
8 posts
 
@joey54  Thanks for the articles, it seems the Nova 150 might need a little more oomph to push Maggies. However, I found it drove my Wharfedale towers effortlessly making them produce the cleanest and most authoritative bass I've heard yet from them. Cheers.
flashhog's avatar
flashhog OP
8 posts
 
@ozzy62  Looks that way, thanks for the response. I wondering, with your Maggies what amplification did you use? Thanks.
flashhog's avatar
flashhog OP
8 posts
 
@jjss49 Thanks for the suggestion, I've heard buzz about Hegel but have not read up on them. I'll take a look at the Audio Excellence guys on YouTube and see what they have to say. 
hleeid
219 posts
 
Agree 100% with jjss49 - I drive my maggies with a Hegel H190.  Other SS amps were ok. 
My Ampzilla 2000 2nd Edition 300wpc monoblocks with a Bryston BP26 preamp do a better job but cost a lot more.

The H190 does a great job driving my Harbeth SHL5+40s as well.

Definitely worth your while to demo if possible.

Good luck in your search! 
geof3
1,124 posts
 
I don’t have Maggie’s, but I do have a Hegel H-390. Kicks a$$! To the Peachtree, they are excellent int’s, but the 150 just doesn’t have the grunt... 
joey54
431 posts
 
BTW, the best amplifier I have heard with the Magnepan 3.7i's is the Belles Virtuoso. Amazing sound that bested the Bryston my dealer was using originally.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,834 posts
 
@ozzy62  Looks that way, thanks for the response. I wondering, with your Maggies what amplification did you use? Thanks.

With the 3.5s I used McCormack DNA-1 deluxe monoblocks.

And believe it or not, with the 1.6s I used a Music Reference RM9. Now that's a tube amp with balls.

Oz


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