Maggies...Measured Amp Power Requirements

Dolfan...The SPL of 96dB (plus or minus as the music varied) was very loud. Louder than I would normally listen. Remember I was curious about why those clipping leds were flashing. I will do it again at lower (reasonable) SPL. I am sure there is some point where a 100 watt amp would do. However, I have several lower power amps that I have used with the Maggies, 100, 200, 350, 450 watts into 4 ohms. All except the 100 watt would be "acceptable" at low SPL, but every increase in power up to the 600 watt zr1600 makes an improvement.

We all know that Maggies "like" big amps. But that's a little vague, so I am trying to come up with some hard fact numbers.

Dolfan, I would think your statement(s) might be right. I listen to my maggies between 62-78dB SPL. And maggies DO SUBTRACT low level detail at modest sound pressure levels. (less than 80dBSPL, or is it more like 85dB SPL?) In another thread Tim (tireguy) reports that he listens at about 87. He had mentioned a suggested value of 700W of tube. Give the 9 dB difference (assuming similar listening room size and listening difference [I can only guess that his room is likely bigger than mine], and assuming maggie SPL output is linear with respect to power input [i.e., no thermal compression, etc], then P=2^(dB/3), P=2^(9/3), P=8:1. So one might expect that I would need 8 times less power that he cites. 700/8=90wpc to one sig fig. Which is that power amp I'm using (90wpc with kt88 tubes, a little more than 100wpc or so with my kt90 tubes). So the SPL differences might explain why I am satisfied. Though it's likely psychoacoustical, since I don't like the sound of sand amps in my budget range, and this was the biggest tube amp I could afford at the time.

Although, I do agree that maggies sound best (at least my stock ones, with the poor quality passive parts) at >80dB SPL. But the music sounds louder than life and not as natural (to me) at those levels. It sound great at those levels, just not natural. But I do hear I'm missing some detail and magic at the lower levels! Some day I will be able to budget those mods. I probably need to address the room more as well.

Great thread eldartford. and Tim, I guess I need to borrow a world class +700wpc amp! Or whatever callibre of amp needed to surpass my 90wpc tube amps!

Aaron

Aroc...You could probably compensate for playing your Maggies at lower SPL by using one of the excellent and inexpensive analyser/equalizers that have appeared on the market. Check out the Behringer DSP8024, less than $250 including mic and cable. Behringer also has a slightly more expensive model that some audiophiles like, but it has many other features that you don't need. (www.zzounds.com is one of many sources for Behringer).

If price is no object, get a PARC.

By the way, Maggie crossover parts, at least in the MG1.6 that I upgraded, are far from junk. Replace the iron core inductor, but replacing the Solen caps may be overkill.

I will make some more measurements this afternoon while the wife is at work. It's nice to be retired :-)

No blown tweets, I also drove them better than expected with a Cary SLA 70, read 35 watts/channel.

So I like loud but I like my ears and the Cary got them past the point where they had to be. In fact they sounded very good. Better than any 35 watt amp has a right to make maggies sound.

1st turn it down. At 85+db your into the ear damage range if you listen very long. That's average level, peaks will go to ?????

I am negotiating a 300W pair of mono toobs so, if I buy them I will report a gain in a couple of weeks.

loon

Loontoon...Of course 96 dB is too loud. Only a few of my recordings (Wurlitzer theater organ concert for example) would reach this level. Remember I was doing an experiment.

Long ago when I had MG II speakers I drove tham with a 2 X 35 watt Eico tube amp, and I thought they sounded good. As the saying goes "Been there, Done that". I am sure that the 300 watt upgrade will impress you.