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Need Amp Advice from the Collective

What amps are a synergistic fit with Maggie LRS+ that won't break my 76 year old back? I am currently using a Bryston 3B3, which at ~300 watts > 4 ohms has gobs of power, certainly more that I use, but it is a bit clinical, lacks midrange magic, is a tad bright, and could image better. See my profile for the rest of the system. 

Pass Labs XA30.8 or X150.8, or Coda No.16 are obvious choices, and I'm certain they would sound great. But they are all 90-110 pounds! I wonder about some of the lower powered Coda's (S5.5, S150, S20) if they would have enough to fire up the Maggies? Comments? 

I have been down the Class D road, and while they certainly have their charms, I don't think they will produce the magic I want.

My room is kind of large at 25 x 25 x 8, but the listening area is about 1/4 of that with the speakers about 8-10 feet from my listening position.

Thanks in advance!

markmuse
kymanor1
126 posts
 

Go with Pass, you will love it

helomech
2,001 posts
 

I see you already went Rogue but I was going to recommend an original Parasound A21. It would give you exactly what you desire. I have never gotten Maggies to thrive off anything class D, no matter the power rating. 
The expensive alternative is a Pass AB amp, the 250.5 or .8 minimum. 
 

The Coda S20 will sound weak compared to your current Bryston. My bet is the Dragons will also. 

cooperdude6
80 posts
 

Watching intently. I’m in the same situation with Martin-Logans that need juice. I’m looking into Moon by Simaudio. The 300A is 125 WPC into 8 ohms, double into 4 ohms and weight in at a more reasonable ~40 lbs. The first 5 watts are all Class A. For about $4,400 USD they seem like a nice deal. They can also be bridged into mono. They have a "North" Collection that seems to be even higher end, over $10K

 

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
354 posts
 

I have 3.7i's now and 1.7i's previously.  I found both to be bright/shrill.  I changed amplifier from Class D to a Pass XA.60, it helped but no where near enough.  Maggie's are very revealing on the top end and will spotlight top end glare if your system has it.  After a bit of trial and error I made 3 changes that greatly mitigated the brightness and turned it into lushness.

I found managing the power via dedicated lines, power conditioners and regenerators to be helpful but what made the difference was adding CAD ground controls.  I don't know what they do but they seemed to soak up the edginess.

Adding a DHT tube pre-amp enhances the holographic ability of the dipole Maggies.

Adding a pair of sub-woofers to Maggie's opens up the top end and upper midrange and gives notes a fuller more natural sound.  I would start with subs, you will be amazed at how they change the presentation of the midrange and upper frequencies.  And a pair will give you way more than double than what a single can.

markmendenhall
246 posts
 

had the Pass X150.8, and at different times the Parasound A21; purchased and have remained with the Pass X250.8 now for several years, I’ve found it superior in all respects to the other 2 amps mentioned above, IMHO not really even a fair comparison driving Sonus Faber and Manger speakers

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