Best Cheap Amps for Magneplanar Speakers

Sounds like your bent on SS; someone mentioned earlier Threshold equipment that comes up from time to time for around $1k; that would be smart; earlier Audio Research SS amps also come up for around the same price as well. Both could fill the SS bend your seeking playing Maggies.

I have had Maggies for 30 years ( IIs, Tympanis, and currently playing 1.7s). I could have purchased the 3.7s, but to my ears the tweeter ribbons are just to in my face and ear; I play piano and my wife plays violen. Jazz and Classical listeners here.

I have gone back and forth between tube and solid state:
* Audio Research D100B solid state (100 watts per channel) with a CJ MV5 tube preamp
* Audio Research D100B with the Audio Research SP14 (tube phono because I play 80% vinyl)
* Currently MFA 200C amp (tube with 200 watts per channel switchable to 60 watts triode; Wavestream Kinetics phono (all tube) and Wavestream Kinetics line stage (all tube). I have only once or twice used 200 watts for yucks....but 60 watt triode mode is bliss.

This last system plays the Maggie 1.7s; we use this literally as our daily system. Turn on and play all day when I work at home or on weekends.

We have a 2 story house, and I have no problem hearing the MFA 200’s set at 60 watts / channel play 1.7s. We have one teen ager and one younger son, and they even say I have to turn the volume down when the amp is set at 60 watts.

As for listening, frogman’s comments re. musicality is spot on for Maggies and tube amps at 60 watts. YMMV.

I actively tri-amp (electronic crossovers) my vintage Maggie llls. I am using McCormack ultra-modded amps for the mids (DNA-0.5) that puts out 200wps into 4Ω, and the DNA-1.0 which doubles that for the bass panel. I have an Aragon amp whic is also capable of 200 wpc for the ribbons (way overkill) Mye stands, C-J tubed preamp. Nirvana!

Randy,

It would be a miracle to find a new SS amp for $1k that will outperform your Sunfire.

Dave

Well, that's what I'm afraid of...

When I had the 2Bs, a similar budget design,  I used a Hafler DH200. It was a little dry and clinical, maybe, but it seemed to suit their character. I also tried the Dynaco ST70 which didn't have enough bass, but the mids, especially strings were decent.

Positioning is everything with these types of speakers. They need to be loaded off the sidewalls, very close, and have a good 6 to 8 feet behind them. Even an inch or two this way or that can make a huge difference.