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  1. #1
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    Help with amp and Maggies

    I am looking to upgrade my stereo. I do it about once every 20 years, so I’d like to do it in one shot. This is for mostly vinyl and streaming through a Marantz SACD 30N. Room is 14’x24’x8’.


    I am leaning toward Magnepan 3.7i speakers, but also like Harbeths. For amps, I am leaning toward a McIntosh C22 pre-amp and an Mc1502. My audio advisor/dealer recommends a pair of MC830s instead of the 1502 because they have more power. (I know, Brystons are recommended for Maggie’s, so that is an option). There is a 3 month wait for the C22 and Mc1502, but the C8 and MC830s combo is available now. Is the C22/Mc1502 worth the 3 month wait and the $5,000 price difference. (Amortized over the life of the system, the price difference doesn’t really bother me). Would the tube Mc1502 be a good match and be able to power the Maggie’s? Or would I need to jump up to a pair of Mc2301s? And if I went with the Harbeth SHL5 plus XD, would that change the amp recommendations? I also have a Martin Logan BalancedForce 210 for bottom end reinforcement.

    The compactness of the C8/MC830s combo does have a benefit, but I can find room for the big ones too.

    Thanks,

    Lew

  2. #2
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Maggie owner here. IMHO you need an amp with a lot of capacitance, high current and power, especially if you like to listen at moderate to loud volumes. It must also be able handle dips to 2 ohms. Bryston is great, but also consider Pass and the new Parasound JC5 with 90 peak amps, 132,000uF capacitance, 600wpc at 4 ohms and stable down to 1.5 ohms. The new Parasound gear sounds great. Don't skimp on electronics as the 3.7's will let you know that they are not up to the job.

    If you have your heart set on Mc, go with the 2301.

    I think that one of the reasons some people end up not liking Maggies is because they don't have the proper amp.
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  3. #3
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Lew, first off , welcome to the fold !

    I'm assuming Overture Audio is your dealer, I know them well and like Mech above I completely agree with PASS and or Parasound. Years ago when I had my Maggies (3.6) I was driving them with a Threshold S500 and I'm still a Nelson Pass fan to this day. FWIW my room dimensions are pretty much the same as yours. If you could locate a pair of X260.8's you would be hard pressed to do better IMO
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  4. #4
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    I would look at a used Pass X250.5
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  5. #5
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Mechnutt View Post
    Maggie owner here. IMHO you need an amp with a lot of capacitance, high current and power, especially if you like to listen at moderate to loud volumes. It must also be able handle dips to 2 ohms. Bryston is great, but also consider Pass and the new Parasound JC5 with 90 peak amps, 132,000uF capacitance, 600wpc at 4 ohms and stable down to 1.5 ohms. The new Parasound gear sounds great. Don't skimp on electronics as the 3.7's will let you know that they are not up to the job.

    If you have your heart set on Mc, go with the 2301.

    I think that one of the reasons some people end up not liking Maggies is because they don't have the proper amp.
    Thank you. So no go with tubes?

  6. #6
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    Lew, first off , welcome to the fold !



    I'm assuming Overture Audio is your dealer, I know them well and like Mech above I completely agree with PASS and or Parasound. Years ago when I had my Maggies (3.6) I was driving them with a Threshold S500 and I'm still a Nelson Pass fan to this day. FWIW my room dimensions are pretty much the same as yours. If you could locate a pair of X260.8's you would be hard pressed to do better IMO
    Thanks! Yes, Overture. Really nice guys there. Joe is helping me out. It seems that people advise against tubes with Maggie’s.

  7. #7
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by LewL View Post
    Thank you. So no go with tubes?
    Tubes sound great with Maggies. That 2301 should work but a good SS amp with a tube preamp is the way to go with Maggies unless you want to spend a lot more for a 450 wpc VTL tube amp or maybe a Rogue Audio Apollo or Hydra.
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  8. #8
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by LewL View Post
    Thanks! Yes, Overture. Really nice guys there. Joe is helping me out. It seems that people advise against tubes with Maggie’s.
    Welcome to AS!

    You are getting great input. The Maggie’s 3.7i are terrific. Pass, Bryston, Parasound would be preferred to McIntosh. All of those are sold by Overture so you are in a great situation.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
    Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
    Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
    Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
    Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
    Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
    Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
    Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
    ICs and SCs: Wireworld Platinum 8
    Rack: Artesania Exoteryc

  9. #9

    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Agree about going with SS amps with the Maggies. The more power the better. By the way, the only difference between the 20.7 and the 3.7 is the larger bass panel on the 20.7. If you were to add subwoofers to the 3.7 you will have a system that will better the sound of the 20.7 alone.

  10. #10
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Thanks to everyone for their insightful and thoughtful responses. An SS amp would certainly make things simpler and less expensive.

  11. #11
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Have you considered the Sanders Magtech amp if you are sold on panel speakers? They're built specifically for low sensitivity, low impedance speakers.
    Sources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
    Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
    Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified

  12. #12
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Hear Here View Post
    Have you considered the Sanders Magtech amp if you are sold on panel speakers? They're built specifically for low sensitivity, low impedance speakers.
    Another good choice, one that has quite a few endorsements over on the Martin Logan forum.
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  13. #13
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Hear Here View Post
    Have you considered the Sanders Magtech amp if you are sold on panel speakers? They're built specifically for low sensitivity, low impedance speakers.
    Excellent choice on Maggies ...
    * An Audiophile is only as old as his latest Class D incarnation *

  14. #14
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    I have 3.7's. I tried Mc452 and Mac is not for me. I like both SS and tubes on Maggies. I had used BAT VK-55 mono and currently using conrad johnson Premier 8A. For SS, I tried Parasound A21, conrad johnson MF2550, Pass INT-150/INT-250.
    I also consider PS Audio BHK-250.
    Jim
    ‐--‐-----‐------------‐----------------------------------------------------------
    Esoteric N-05xd, Luxman d08u, Gryphon Diablo-300, Revel Studio2

    Conrad Johnson Premier15 phono, ART-2 pre, Premier8A mono, Lumin T2, VPI Classic3, Magnepan 3.7

  15. #15
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Q3Di View Post
    I have 3.7's. I tried Mc452 and Mac is not for me. I like both SS and tubes on Maggies. I had used BAT VK-55 mono and currently using conrad johnson Premier 8A. For SS, I tried Parasound A21, conrad johnson MF2550, Pass INT-150/INT-250.
    I also consider PS Audio BHK-250.
    Thanks for all of the help everyone. I am going to go with an ARC pre-amp and Bryson power amps. I just listened to that set up and it was great!

  16. #16
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Congrats Lew, what ARC pre and Bryston amp did you go with ?
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  17. #17
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Hi Dave - for the pre-amp either the ARC LS28SE or maybe the Reference 6SE and likely a pair of Bryston 7B3 monos. Thought about McIntosh Mc611. Brystons sounded great and take up a little less room.

  18. #18
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by LewL View Post
    Hi Dave - for the pre-amp either the ARC LS28SE or maybe the Reference 6SE and likely a pair of Bryston 7B3 monos. Thought about McIntosh Mc611. Brystons sounded great and take up a little less room.
    very nice, I have the '28' myself, couldn't be happier. We look forward to seeing a pic or two once it's all set up Lew !
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  19. #19
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Will do! Everything is back ordered, so it may take a while.

  20. #20
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Congratz on your choices... Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for your new gear.
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  21. #21

    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Great choices for your Maggie's. I owned a pair of 3.7's and agree with all that was said above. Bryston is a terrific match.
    Kevin

    Main: VPI Aries 3/Grado Reference3, and Aurender N200 > PS Audio DS DAC. Luxman L-509Z integrated amp. Sonus Faber Elipsa SE speakers. PS Audio P10 power. Transparent Audio, Cardas and Audioquest cables.

    Bar: EAT C-sharp/Hana MH, and exaSound s82 > Luxman L-595SE amp. GolderEar One.R speakers. Shunyata power, Audioquest cables.

  22. #22
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Q3Di View Post
    I have 3.7's. I tried Mc452 and Mac is not for me. I like both SS and tubes on Maggies. I had used BAT VK-55 mono and currently using conrad johnson Premier 8A. For SS, I tried Parasound A21, conrad johnson MF2550, Pass INT-150/INT-250.
    I also consider PS Audio BHK-250.
    How did the Pass amps work out with your 3.7’s? 🤔
    I am considering Pass for my 3.7’s but the Diablo 300 also seems interesting. So far I have compared the int 250 against a Boulder 866 and Accuphase E800. (Not in my own system thought)

  23. #23
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Panelguy View Post
    How did the Pass amps work out with your 3.7’s? 🤔
    I am considering Pass for my 3.7’s but the Diablo 300 also seems interesting. So far I have compared the int 250 against a Boulder 866 and Accuphase E800. (Not in my own system thought)
    The Pass was wonderful with Maggies. I tried the Pass with Maggies for a short time. I mainly used the Pass with Revel Studio2. I also have the Diablo 300 and used it with Maggies in the summer (the tube mono are too hot in my room). I got the best bass I ever heard from Maggies with the Diablo. The Pass also had great bass and mid and closer to tube than the Diablo. The Diablo has a little dark warm sound like my predecessor BAT.
    Jim
    ‐--‐-----‐------------‐----------------------------------------------------------
    Esoteric N-05xd, Luxman d08u, Gryphon Diablo-300, Revel Studio2

    Conrad Johnson Premier15 phono, ART-2 pre, Premier8A mono, Lumin T2, VPI Classic3, Magnepan 3.7

  24. #24
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Q3Di View Post
    The Pass was wonderful with Maggies. I tried the Pass with Maggies for a short time. I mainly used the Pass with Revel Studio2. I also have the Diablo 300 and used it with Maggies in the summer (the tube mono are too hot in my room). I got the best bass I ever heard from Maggies with the Diablo. The Pass also had great bass and mid and closer to tube than the Diablo. The Diablo has a little dark warm sound like my predecessor BAT.
    Thanks, would you say that the Pass had an airier presentation?
    Compared to the Boulder 866 I thought the int 250 had a fuller more powerful bass.
    The 866 was almost too controlled and sounded a bit restrained.

  25. #25
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Have Pass Labs X260.8 monos on order for my 3.7i’s

  26. #26
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    When I had Maggies I used a Hegel H590, all the power and current you would need and sounded sublime.

  27. #27
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by mjs View Post
    Have Pass Labs X260.8 monos on order for my 3.7i’s
    I suspect you will be quite pleased !
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  28. #28
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    I suspect you will be quite pleased !
    Thanks, certainly hope so. Also hoping for no extended delays in delivery, due in
    July at this stage

  29. #29
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by mjs View Post
    Thanks, certainly hope so. Also hoping for no extended delays in delivery, due in
    July at this stage
    Just recently been advised that delivery has blown out to September. That will be six months, hopefully no longer

  30. #30
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    Re: Help with amp and Maggies

    Quote Originally Posted by mjs View Post
    Just recently been advised that delivery has blown out to September. That will be six months, hopefully no longer
    We'll, blow me down, my dealer messaged me yesterday, my X260.8's have arrived! Woo hoo!

    Should get them mid next week I expect.

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Help with amp and Maggies

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