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Tubes for Magnepan’s.

I think next up on my acquisition list is a tube amplifier. I'm not looking for the be all end all, cause I don’t think there is a definitive "Best", so am looking for as good as I can get for $3-4k.


Because tubes drive speakers so much more efficiently than solid state I am only looking for 40-50 watts to drive my modded Maggie’s, 1.7i's. (Or what you have when you add a new crossover and planer tweeters to 1.7i's.) Maybe 2.7x? I haven’t settled on that yet. And I have some Zu Dirty Weekend's upgraded to the max coming in in 2 months to replace my KEF's.

Anyway, I haven’t had a tube device since my Halicrafter short wave radio, and reviews are not the same as advice from people that own something. There is a Rouge Audio dealer in my area, last I looked, (opps, they no longer carry them), so I may have to go to another market to hear something, or get a try before you buy from a manufacturer or dealer.

You folks have taught me a lot, and I think asking users is the right thing to do on this change in direction.

Thanks in advance.
william53b
william53b's avatar
william53b OP
211 posts
 
@clearthink,

Yes, less efficient, just more musical when overdriven. 
frogman
7,596 posts
 
Drove Maggies with Manley tube monos for many years. I’m sure there are some that do better than what I tried, but no ss amp that I tried sounded nearly as satisfying as the Manleys or the Berning tube amp that I also had. IMO, Maggie’s benefit for the full bodied sound that a good tube amp offers. The ss amps that I tried, with the exception of a BEL all sounded too lean, even sterile, for my tastes. I do agree that Maggies like power and while it may seem counterintuitive, ESPECIALLY if most of your listening is at low volumes. Not enough power reserve and at low volumes my Maggies tended to sound a bit sluggish and dynamically lifeless.  I agree that 40-50 W is not enough.  Personally, I would look for a good 100 tube watts.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
I ran VTL, Cary and Mcintosh. Cary when they are worked over and have pretty good valves, sounds the best to me. The problem with Cary they are 86 and 89% efficient. That's it.. They just run out of gas when you turn them up.. BUT it's right there with older Mac valve amps SQ if they are worked over.  I wonder how those Maggie's would sound with MC275. You can find one for 39-4500 in good shape.. 75 watts is on the low side for the older MC275s. If they are worked 85-90 watts per rail.
Over 100db amp..

I run 93% E speakers, that Mac even a 240 will drive them over 95db, a 275 102-5 db pretty easy.. You can wind up with your fingers in your ears with efficient speakers. 

It's always the same though. Seldom do I use a valve amp below 280-300hz. 100hz is the absolute lowest I go.. That makes a big difference too.. NO Bass duty.. Game changer when it comes to bloat and distortion in the WHOLE bass region.. The results is everything is easier to tune in..

Less room treatment... Everything..

Happy Happy..
pryso
2,063 posts
 
william, anyone who says that Maggies and tubes are not a great combination probably never heard an Audio Research demo with them.  But that's not to say just any tubes will do.

Even with your stated music I agree with those saying that something with 75 to 100 wpc will likely be more satisfying.

I'm not familiar with the Benchmark if the input is high enough for a tube match you might try to borrow a tube preamp from a dealer or friend if possible.  That should cost less if it satisfies you.

Anyway, have fun with it and good luck.
lhasaguy's avatar
lhasaguy
361 posts
 
Maggie’s typically need a lot of current.  I have a tube preamp that I love and 750 measured wpc mono blocks running 3.6 Maggie’s.   IMHO you will need a mnmum of 150 wpc to drive smaller Maggie’s and more would be recommended,  Think about SS amps with a tube pre amp for an economical solution.
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