2. amps-preamps
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Plinius 8200P or Bryston 3B-SST for Maggie 1.6 QRs

The only thing I have now is the Music Hall CD-25 player and I am planing on getting a pair of Maggies 1.6 QR.
Both price and the power rating are close. Bryston has a way longer warrantee, but I don't think the Plinius will die very soon anyway.

Has anyone try A/B these 2 amps with the 1.6 or other speakers and how do they compare?

I listen to pretty much everything, but Heavy metal and Rap.

I would really appreciate any suggestion regarding these two amp. with the maggie or in general

Also any suggestion on the preamp to go along with either amps? I only have 2-300 left after the amp.

Is the foreplay (bottleneck) that good? I have seen a rave review. If it's that good could someone give me some idea about what product level it can compete too?

Thanks a lot,

Ake

PS I know the CD-25 may become my weakest link if I get this set up that the upgrade is possible in near future.

Also I have done a lot of searching on AG before asking this question, but just wanna hear more about it. It's probably impossible to audition them before getting ones.
ake
alliedtvandsound
74 posts
 
The 3-B SST is an excellent amplifier. The ST series was quite good. The SST is considerably better I feel; greater power, bass slam and staging. In fact the new 3-B SST reminds me of the power and slam as previous generation 4-B! Additionally, Bryston's have always worked extremely well with Maggie's. As far as a matching pre --the BP-25 Bryston is extremely quiet, neutral with fine bass extension, staging and dynamics. Again, a wonderful match for the 3-B SST and Maggies.

peter jasz
ake OP
48 posts
 
I just run across the Classe CAP150/151. How are they? The power seem to be enough for the 1.6, but I have no idea how they sound. Will they match well with the 1.6?

I prefer to limit by budget to around 1K so the 8200 integrated is out of my reach.

ake
rgd
656 posts
 
AKE - if your budget is around $1000 you won't be getting a Bryston 3B-SST for near that amount - its too new a model. If you also require a preamp (based on your comment on the Bottlehead...) then no doubt your budget for both components is more than $1K and that is why I suggested the Integrated Plinius as opposed to the straight amplifier + a preamp...
ultrakaz
187 posts
 

I did not have much success with the Bryston (4b-st) and the Magnepan 1.6 QR. The bass was ill defined and the midrange was lacking in dynamics, dull and dimensionless.

A much better match was with the Marsh A400 or BAT VK-200. Both of these amps gave the speakers life. An even better match was with the BAT VK-60. At only 60 watts this amp gave the midrange even more life and a tonal richness that can only be achieved with tubes. I've seen some listings for this amp at below 2K, which is an incredible bargain. I achieved the best sound with the VK-60 and a Placette passive preamp. The Placette can be replaced with any high quality passive (around $300 used) for less money if you do not need the remote control.
drewfidelity
178 posts
 
When I had Maggie 1.6's, my wife made me sell them or they may very well be in my current system, I had them mated to a Classe CA-150 amplifier. It was a nice combination. It is my understanding that the CAP 150/151 is very similar in power and ability as my CA-150 was. The only deficiency in comparison to the Bryston 3-B was in bass response. The Bryston 3-B was clearly better in that regard. The Classe was, in my opinion, the better match in all other parameters with the 1.6's.
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