I don't have any advice on SET speaker matching, but I do have the full-sized maggies, and I can predict that these would be poor canidates for SET. I tried to drive my MG3.5R's originally with an amp I love for more efficient speakers- the single-ended [transistor]PASS Aleph 5 and they just couldn't produce bass or dynamics. I'm now running BiAmp'd Bryston 4B'(thats 2-200wpc amps) and although noticeably better, still can't seem to get enough dynamics and am looking for more power or other speakers.- The magneplanar approach would appear to favor much more power than I think you will be able to deliver with the Zen.
recommended speakers for SET amp?
I'm seriously considering a (Zen) SET amp. Since it only puts out about 5w it obviously requires very efficient speakers ideally along the lines of 95+db (which I don't currently have).
I'm looking for suggestions for a fast, full range 'floor tower' (no teeny 'bookshelf' type) speaker in the $1000 range. I'm thinking I'll have to go the used/auction route to meet that price range. I'd love some Planars (maggie MMG's) but apparently they just aren't sensitive enuf (87 db)
My listening room is approx 12 X 20 and I'm not much inclined to go with the physically large horn speakers (which seems to be the 'recommended' route some take with SET amps).
My musical tastes lean toward to female vocalists (Joan Osborne, Emmy lou Harris, Holly Cole, Ricky Lee Jones etc.), small piano/horn Jazz groups (Foreplay, Roy Hargrove, Kiko Sumato, etc.), 'contemporary' (Lyle Lovett, Paul Simon, Madonna) and eclectic 'world music' (Baka Beyond, Gregorian chant, etc.)
While I don't currently have a TT (only have an Ah! Tjoeb CD as my source) I do plan to drag out my vinyl eventually.
Any advice/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
I'm looking for suggestions for a fast, full range 'floor tower' (no teeny 'bookshelf' type) speaker in the $1000 range. I'm thinking I'll have to go the used/auction route to meet that price range. I'd love some Planars (maggie MMG's) but apparently they just aren't sensitive enuf (87 db)
My listening room is approx 12 X 20 and I'm not much inclined to go with the physically large horn speakers (which seems to be the 'recommended' route some take with SET amps).
My musical tastes lean toward to female vocalists (Joan Osborne, Emmy lou Harris, Holly Cole, Ricky Lee Jones etc.), small piano/horn Jazz groups (Foreplay, Roy Hargrove, Kiko Sumato, etc.), 'contemporary' (Lyle Lovett, Paul Simon, Madonna) and eclectic 'world music' (Baka Beyond, Gregorian chant, etc.)
While I don't currently have a TT (only have an Ah! Tjoeb CD as my source) I do plan to drag out my vinyl eventually.
Any advice/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.