Need inexpensive amp help and questions on Hype

After a lot of trial and error with tubes amps I decided to go with solid state power amp with my maggies (1.6) and I agree that you need all the current and power you can get. I even tried a special Innersound amp that had 1000 watts into 4 OHMS and you would not believe how those speakers rocked. They can handle all you can throw their way I assure you.

I ended up with Plinius but the point is solid state is the way with those speaker if you want tight bass. Even the mighty Rogue 120 Magnums were not enough for them.

I hope this helps

The worst mistake most new folks make is buying an amp that will not handle the impedance load of the speakers. I don't know what those speakers are rated at, but would assume 4 ohm and maybe sometimes lower? You need to make sure that you know this fact, then find out what the receivers are rated at for your setup. It will not be easy to find a receiver that is rated that low (most will be in the 8 ohm range).

Take your time and research. I think that it may be a good idea for you to subscribe to the blue book here on Audiogon while you are in the market to buy used. It is a valuable tool and really helps you understand what is a fair price.

Best of luck – aj

Have you considered the NAD C370 integrated? It is a good match for the SMGa's and is outstanding at the price it goes for.

Hurry(!), and buy that conrad-johnson mv-55 that's for sale for $850. The mv-50 was a killer match for my old 1.6's.

I preferred it to my $7000 pass labs amps & my $4000 mccormack dna1reva. So did another person (my friend nolan who now owns both!) To me, magnepans benefit more from tube power than any speaker I've heard.

CJ stuff keeps it's value too.

If you are fairly certain that you prefer the Maggie sound and will want to upgrade to the 1.6's in the future, then save yourself some hassle later on and buy something now that will drive the bigger speakers when you get them. Frankly, if you heard and loved the NAIT, which I believe is about a $1500 integrated, then you should try to audition it with the 1.6's, and if it works, just lay out the extra green and be done with it. That way, you know it will continue to sound good, and you won't have to take a hit upgrading the amp along with the speakers later. But if it's not powerful enough (a real possibility), try to spend about the same amount used if you can, because the 1.6's will need the quality power.

BTW, just a note about some comments above: Maggies actually have a very benign impedance characteristic - 4 ohms, which is ruler-flat compared to most dynamic speakers, and just about purely resistive in nature (as opposed to reactive), meaning no tricky phase or capacitance issues. They are, however, a relatively inefficient design by nature, meaning they suck power in order to go loud or do authoritative dynamics. They are also, unfortunately, quite revealing of the sonic flaws inherent in most lower priced amplifiers (not so much a problem with the SMG's, but it will be when you get the 1.6's, which brings us back to my preceding advice). Also, I own a C-J MV-55 (a great amp), and though they do make an integrated version, the CAV-50, my experience with Maggies tells me that if you like bass or high volume levels, this will not be a match for you. Better to stick to Philjolet's SS recommendation, but just beware about what may be revealed if you try to pick up an older SS model for low $. (I've heard Maggies chew up and spit out a "300w" Adcom, and then turn around and sing with a "100w" Audio Research SS. You'll need the power *and* the quality, I'm afraid.)