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  1. #1
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    Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Dear Reader,

    I've owned Maggies for years.

    I started with purchasing the most expensive receiver @ Best Buy's Magnolia.

    I was disappointed.

    I've tried an entire clan of amplifiers and the only one that puts my Magnepans in line is Sunfire by the genius Bob Carver.

    When it came time to upgrade, I bypassed the McIntosh 462, PS Audio's BHK line (and others,) and I decided to go with Bob's Sunfire TGA-7401. Not only does the Sunfire deliver more power (800 watts x2 @ 4 ohms,) but it is a seven (7) channel amp that *can* deliver 800 watts x 7 @ 4 Ohms...(this has not been tested.)

    The control, details (macro/micro,) and immediacy of the device are startling.

    So now tell me -

    What do you run with your Magnepans?

    Best,
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  2. #2
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    I run my 1.6's with a Pass X250 amp. I used to use a Parasound A21 which sounded midfi in comparison. Preamp is a tube BAT VK51se.
    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: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Parasound A21 is midfi ..!!!



    Regards
    * An Audiophile is only as old as his latest Class D incarnation *

  4. #4
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by firewallx View Post
    Dear Reader,

    I've owned Maggies for years.

    I started with purchasing the most expensive receiver @ Best Buy's Magnolia.

    I was disappointed.

    I've tried an entire clan of amplifiers and the only one that puts my Magnepans in line is Sunfire by the genius Bob Carver.

    When it came time to upgrade, I bypassed the McIntosh 462, PS Audio's BHK line (and others,) and I decided to go with Bob's Sunfire TGA-7401. Not only does the Sunfire deliver more power (800 watts x2 @ 4 ohms,) but it is a seven (7) channel amp that *can* deliver 800 watts x 7 @ 4 Ohms...(this has not been tested.)

    The control, details (macro/micro,) and immediacy of the device are startling.

    So now tell me -

    What do you run with your Magnepans?

    Best,
    Yep not even by Carver himself ....
    * An Audiophile is only as old as his latest Class D incarnation *

  5. #5
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Neighbor runs his 3.7i with a pair of Parasound JC1's. A little bit of heat but so dynamic.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  6. #6
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by a.wayne View Post
    Parasound A21 is midfi ..!!!



    Regards


    Compared to the Pass it was relatively speaking. The PS Audio 700m's also sounded much better as well as several Van Alstine amps that I reviewed and compared to the A21.
    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.

  7. #7
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    PS Audio best amp IMO , is a model called the 200CX it was stereophile class A rated many moons ago.


    Regards
    * An Audiophile is only as old as his latest Class D incarnation *

  8. #8
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Back when I had my 3.6's it was a Threshold S500, more than satisfied with the combo
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  9. #9
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    Back when I had my 3.6's it was a Threshold S500, more than satisfied with the combo
    Nelson Pass designed the Threshold S/500 if I'm not mistaken and was built from 1983-1988 and provides 250WPC into 8 ohms. The power doubles into 4 ohms and the amplifier still has the grunt to even drive a 1 ohm load. Pretty decent.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  10. #10
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    I used to have Maggie's. In the Magnepan forum there are a lot who recommend Class D amplifiers. I also believe that Magnepan voice their speakers using Bel Canto (their neighbors). I like the new NAD Purifier amps over the Bel Canto that I recently owned. However, in my quest to physically downsize I have moved on from Maggie's.
    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

  11. #11
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Esoteric powering Maggies ..........
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  12. #12
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    What are the ARC powering ?
    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

  13. #13
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Myers View Post
    What are the ARC powering ?
    Nothing, stand by in case the Esoteric's take a dump !
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  14. #14
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    conrad johnson is my favorite
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    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: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    The speaker system is Magenpan 3.6s with subs, Kinergetic SW-800 bass towers, and it's tri-amped directly through a Pass Labs XVR-1 3-way active crossover so: 1) two custom built stereo hybrid tube/SS amplifiers (by Mike Elliott, not old Counterpoint design) at 400W/ch, 2) 1 stereo Krell Evo S2250e 500W/ch amplifier. Effective power is greater than 1300W/ch as 2 amps with electronic XO deliver wattages almost 4 times the rms wattage of 1 amp. Damping factor is better too.

    Most of everything in the system is modified included the ARC Ref 40 pre, REF10 phono, Pass Labs crossovers, and the 3.6s (rewired with 6 9s copper, no fuses, no inside socks, and remaining internal passive XO is bypassed with an outboard quality, matched, circuit containing Duelund Cast caps & inductors. I'm a little nuts - for example it took 2 years, 30 separate listening sessions totaling 500 hours and over 130 parts changes to get the Pass Labs XO to sound the way I wanted. The ARC stuff didn't need much. The modded 3.6s sound quite nice.
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  16. #16
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    Nothing, stand by in case the Esoteric's take a dump !
    Nice, beautiful ARC's as backups .
    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

  17. #17
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Myers View Post
    Nice, beautiful ARC's as backups .
    Randy, that is not my system, rather a gathering we had 3 years ago @ Overture Audio with Wendell and Galina Diller of Magnepan.
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  18. #18
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Ahhhh... still quite nice looking amps there .
    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

  19. #19
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    I own the Bob Carver 350 Raven tube mono amps. I would like to buy a Maggie but I am concerned that even though my mono amps are rated as 350 RMS it being tube it still may not have the power to run them properly.
    Can anyone comment?

    ozzy

  20. #20
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    which Maggies Oz ?
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  21. #21
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    I have run Magnepan 3.7i with a Parasound JC5 for years and it’s a great combo.

  22. #22
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    I was thinking of the 3.7i or perhaps the 20.7

    ozzy

  23. #23
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Oz, my guess your Carver 'bottle amps' will perform A-Okay, perhaps a little high end roll off ?
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  24. #24

    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    My favorite amp with Magnepans have been Classe.

  25. #25
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by ozzy View Post
    I own the Bob Carver 350 Raven tube mono amps. I would like to buy a Maggie but I am concerned that even though my mono amps are rated as 350 RMS it being tube it still may not have the power to run them properly.
    Can anyone comment?

    ozzy

    Listening distance , room size and desired DB peaks ..?



    Regards
    * An Audiophile is only as old as his latest Class D incarnation *

  26. #26
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Those Carver amps put out 400 wpc at 4 ohms and can handle 1 ohm. They should be fine with the 3.7i's. For 20.7's I would go with more power although the amps would be OK with the 20.7's.
    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.

  27. #27
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Have you seen those numbers bench tested or is that advertised ..?
    * An Audiophile is only as old as his latest Class D incarnation *

  28. #28
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Have your tried the Sanders Magtech amplifier?

    I'm certainly not a Magnepan user but did have Martin Logan Expression 13As for a while and this was the recommended amp for low sensitivity speakers where impredence drops to very low figures. Sanders builds ELS speakers himself so the Magtech is designed to compliment his amps. And they are sensibly priced both to buy and to run - unlike Class A ones.
    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

  29. #29
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by a.wayne View Post
    Have you seen those numbers bench tested or is that advertised ..?

    Yes, advertised from the manufacturer: Crimson/Raven Features/Specs | bobcarvercorp.com

    Bob Carver 350 Mono Block Amp – USA Tube Audio
    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.

  30. #30
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Thanks for the replies.
    The cost of another amp in addition to the speakers will put this idea out of reach.
    My room size is about 18' x 25" with an 8-foot ceiling.

    I also own a JL Audio CR-1 electronic crossover. With 4 JL F-113 subs.
    So, I will divide the low frequencies out of the Magnepan. Will that matter?

    ozzy

  31. #31
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Quote Originally Posted by ozzy View Post
    Thanks for the replies.
    The cost of another amp in addition to the speakers will put this idea out of reach.
    My room size is about 18' x 25" with an 8-foot ceiling.

    I also own a JL Audio CR-1 electronic crossover. With 4 JL F-113 subs.
    So, I will divide the low frequencies out of the Magnepan. Will that matter?

    ozzy
    It will relieve the amp a little but I like to run my Maggies full range. I like the bass that they put out. I think that you take away part of the Maggie sound by removing bass but that is just my personal preference. I know that some people do use bass management with them.
    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.

  32. #32

    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Running the Maggies full range is the way to go. We know you will not get the deepest bass and all but it's the total package that matters. I'll settle for less bass but tighter bass . That said it's been 6 or 7 years since I have had Maggies, maybe it's time for me to reconnect to them?

  33. #33
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    Re: Magnepan Owners? Your favorite amplifier?

    Hegel H590 worked very well with my old Maggies.

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