2. amps-preamps
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Budget amp that will give Magnepan 3.6Rs better depth of soundstage

I have 3.6Rs and using Emotiva UMC200 pre/proc and an Outlaw Audio 7100 in a 14 by 14 foot room. So I don't need to turn the volume up to massive levels. The amp will do 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 165 watts per channel into 4 ohms. I have been thinking of getting a separate two channel amp for the 3.6Rs. I have read that it takes lots of current to get the best soundstage with instrument placement and depth. I am getting wide soundstage and good sound, but the depth is somewhat muddied enough to not get instrument placement. I am looking for a two channel amp that will give me more of the potential of the 3.6Rs, but be able to be purchased for less that $750 used.  Is there any amp that will be worth upgrading to for that kind of money or do I need a new pre/proc as well?

cdavis2260
kota1
2,706 posts
 

Before you spend money on amps you might want to get your room analyzed for free from auralex:

https://auralex.com/room-analysis/

johnto
1,026 posts
 

As a fellow Maggie owner I agree with your assessment that another amp / pre will sound much better I just don't think you'll be able to do it in that price range. Maggie's need quality high power equipment. I would start with Parasound and work up from there as budget allows.

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

not gonna happen

that is the hidden cost of owning maggies... you need damn expensive associated equipment to make them sound their best

jl35
4,016 posts
 

sometimes an Odyssey Khartago Extreme comes along...

mlsstl
1,438 posts
 

That is a big set of speakers for a fairly small room! I had a pair of Maggie 1.6QRs when we moved some years ago and I tried to use them in a 14 X 15 room. They just didn't work well and I sold them.

And squareness doesn't help. My 2 cents is that your room is likely a bigger problem in terms of the placement of instrument imaging than your power amp. Not saying a better amp might not help, but probably is not the major issue. 

The post above suggesting a room analysis is a better start, IMO. The next step would be acoustic room treatment. Only then would I start worrying about changing amps.

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