2. amps-preamps
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Tube-amp for Magnepan?

Hi.I have currently tested Audio Research VT60 with my old Maggies (MG2A),
It seems that the 50w is too weak in power.I experienced a lot of distortion already at "10 oclock"-position on the preamp.(could there be something wrong with the tubes?) At low volumes it sounded fantastic!
The 4ohm connection was a lot worse than 8ohm.The Maggies are 6 ohms...
A friend suggested either a VT100 from AR or maybye Mcintosh 275.The latter is more in my budget..I currenty run a Papworth MIA200 ,200W solid state-quite good but a bit boring.I really want to test out tubes!Have anyone any recomandations?
efuglset
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I ran a Rogue 120M with Maggie 1.6 before and it had nice tone but was boring, it just lacked dynamic range

YMMV

good luck
jwmazur
191 posts
 
I had great success using the VTL MB 250 amps. The ST150 was still straining with my 1.6's but the 250's were awesome. I used them when I upgraded to the Maggie 3.6's. The system had plenty of dig on the low side and was just as good all the way up. Maggies need the power. Also the VTL's have a fixed 5 ohm tap for the output.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I've tried a bunch of high powered tube amps at the dealer, with Maggies, and witht he exception of the crazy priced VTL's and ARC's, they didn't hold a candle to the highpowered SS amps.

Bryston, SandersSound, Cary Mono's, Parasound Monos, those are the best that I have heard with Maggies.

You just need too much power for most tubes. Unless you bi-amp, and put the tubes on top. I am contemplating trying this again, but this time with Rogue mono's on top.
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