Please help a rookie –used amps for magnepan 3.7?


This is my first post on any kind of audio forum, so I apologize in advance for my ignorance if I’m violating any convention/etiquette etc. I love music, but confessed to being overwhelmed regarding all the technical development since the days of tubes.

I am planning to buy some Magnepan 3.7 speakers. I don’t think I can afford to buy the ideal amplifier for my system right now, and would very much appreciate any advice or suggestions about what sort of used amplifier set up would be the best compromise between cost and sound quality for the near term.

I use both digital and analog sources and have Audio Research LS17SE tube pre amp and Bryston DAC and 8 year-old Rotel RB 980 BX amplifiler, which I believe is rated at 125 W. This set up has worked well with my current Vandersteen II ce speakers.

My local audio dealer told me that for the maggies I should get an amp with at least 200 W of power and suggested an Audio Research DS 225, which I could buy used for $3,900. This is a bit more than I would like to spend, however if the consensus of the group is this is the best option I could start saving towards this.

Alternatively, I was wondering if there might be a slightly less expensive amplifier suggestion somewhere closer to $2,500? (I might be able slip that one as my wife with minimal angst).

I’ve always been interested in the idea of separate mono block amplifiers. From my admittedly uninformed perspective, the logic of separate amps, potentially located closer to the speakers seem reasonable, however I have no idea if that’s accurate or even an option I should consider. Maybe I should consider getting another Rotel RB 980 like the one I have now, which I think should be fairly inexpensively – does that make sense?

I very much appreciate any and all advice and suggestions from the knowledgeable members of this community.

Thanks, Mike
mallen1010
If you have settled on Solid State. I would suggest a used Mark Levinson 23.5 amp. You can't beat this amp. It is excellent. also, Classe has amps that are wonderful.

Since you are talking used, here is my solid state used list for the prices you mentioned.

1. Mark Levinson 23.5
2. Mark Levinson 23
3. Krell KSA 250
4. Threshold amps
5. Classe amps

Seriously, you can't go wrong with any of these. As long as they are in excellent condition, you are good to go.

enjoy
I was trying to figure out what  magnepan speakers to get for my new house. Its a 19x21great room with 12 foot ceilings . I was looking at the 1.7 or 3.7 using rogues atlas amp and rp1 preamp,its rated at a hundred watts . I would like the 3.7 maggies but not sure if the Atlas could drive them correctly might need to move up to the m-180 mono blocks? This gets expensive fast.
Hi Partel,

I sent you a PM with some suggestions. Let me know if we can be of further assistance.

Kind regards,

-David
partel - While the Rogue Atlas would technically be able to drive the Maggies and sound fine at reasonable levels, they really come to life when driven by amps with significantly more power than that. The M-180 amps would be much better suited to the task, or better yet their Apollo Dark amps! ;~)
I guess you decided on tube amps again.  Not sure the best for Magggies but you need a lot of juice.  Did you consider the Sanders  amps made for just these kind of speakers. Price may be prohibitive, perhaps buy used?? If still made.?
 Aside from Rogue not sure who else makes an affordable big tube power amp.  Also some are hybrid class D make sure you like it.