SET Amps and Maggies


are there any SET amps that can run my maggie 12s?
tz7
Tz7, not to be a party pooper, but you are simply trying to use the wrong tool for the wrong job.

SET amps are primarily designed to drive high(er) efficiency, high(er) impedence, relatively stable speaker loads. I don't think Magnepans meet any of these three criterion. And Zero's will only address one of these issues. But, it might be worth asking the Zero's maker, Paul Speltz, he says that over half his customers are Maggie owners. Perhaps he knows of some amps that work.

One thing for sure, there are very, very, few SET amps intentionally designed to deliver high current. And they are damned expensive. But even then, I'd guess the current intended for most 90-100dB speakers is entirely different from what your speakers want. Not even in the ballpark.

I own one of the few brands of SET specifically designed to deliver high current(for SET), Art Audio. They make a 50wpc "high power option" Art Audio Jota BX (using the KR 52BX tube) that has both 4 & 8 ohm outputs. It "employs larger transformers and adjusted internal parts values to support the increased demands and current delivery". But, it's going to cost you $10k+

If you are really serious, AA makes Jota monoblocks that can be made in the high power option. It'll cost you north of $15k, but if you are really serious about Maggies and SET, are probably the best option.

But, all this is seriously unrealistic considering your speakers only cost $1,100 brand spanking new. Nor is SET the the way to get the best sound from your Maggies.

Although.... I think Single-End Pentode (SEP) amps actually work better the lower the impedance they work into. And there are some great, affordable, SEP amps being made right now. Don't know of any above 9wpc off hand and have no idea if they will drive Maggies.

The Art Audio Jota with the high power option 52BX tube is 30WPC not 50WPC.

Check it out here:

http://www.artaudio.com/jota.html
Not a match. If you want your maggies to sing with tubes it is going to cost a small fortune for Walcotts or even old Melos tube amps. I suggest you try a good SS amp and a tube preamp. If you want something good and very inexpensive try a luxman R117 receiver (if you can find one).
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Your original question had to do with SET amplification. SET amplification, like the Maggie sound, is very addictive. I get the chills imagining the two together. You can see from the posts that Maggies and SET are just not going to happen; at least at a volume you'll be comfortable with. Remember Wolcotts are not SET. This is what you originally asked. Not what tubes go great with Maggies, right? I used to own Maggies and they need oodles of killer watts and space too bloom. Wow, if there were 200 wpc SET. The Maggies wouldn't be the only speakers singing a sweet tune...warren