Magnepan ribbons problems

When I was considering purchase of Magnepans recently I was concerned about the ribbon reliability. I was told that Magnepan does not deny that these units can and do fail, but they provide repair service at very reasonable cost. In the end I bought MG 1.6 which don't have the ribbon, but not because of concern about ribbon reliability.

My suggestion...Let Magnepan do it.

Cemil,
That is highly unusual to be replacing 2-3x/yr. Check your fuse value, better to just change with new ones, you might also post at the maggie users group:

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MUG/bbs.html

I used to own a pair of MG-IIIa speakers, and in
about 4 years of ownership, I NEVER replaced the
ribbons. I had them biamped with a Dynaco 400
amp on top and a Threshold 400a on the bottom...
and I played them LOUD at times.I think more damage
will occur by underpowering them than by using a
large, clean amp.

I had MGIIIa also and only replaced one tweeter in 7 years, and that was because of a movie soundtrack clipping my 255watt a channel amplifier. Movies would melt the fuse adhesive and the fuse would appear good, but wasn't. Make sure the fuses you are using are fast blow, not slow blow and the correct size.

Also are you bi-amping the 3.5's without the external crossover? This can cause problems.

Low line voltage might be starving your amplifier when it craves the current.

My guess is you are popping tweaters because you don't have enough current. Think 4ohm and get as much power as you can afford. I used my ARC D400MkII to moderately loud without any issues and my EAD PowerMaster 2000 (800watts into 4ohm) was even better.

Look at Bryston, EAD, or some other high current 4ohm stable load amplifier and check those fuses.

I am a big advocate for fuse bypass, but in a case like your get high quality fuse holders and fast blow fuses of the appropriate value. You should blow a fuse before you blow the tweeter.

Have you ever replaced the tweeters or just repaired them? If you just repair them, try getting new tweeters from magnepan and make sure your fuses are right. If you have any other problems you have a big problem some where else. Do you use vinyl? a big static charge could potentially blow a ribbon. I have played my fuse bypassed maggies(3.6R's) incredibly loud and NEVER had any problems what so ever.