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Building a System around Magnepan Speakers...

Hello everyone,

I am creating a separate thread here from my resent question I posed about building a decent system for around $2000. I have decided that I want to build a system around Magnepan speakers. My budget is the same, $2000 or so. I am a bit flexible but I don't want to spend a great deal more than that.

My questions are:

1. Which Magnepan Speakers should I get? In my budget I could get the MMG, the MG 12 or a used 1.6. Could you advise on what the differences are between these three models? At the moment, there is a listing on Audiogon for a 1.6 that is going for $900 and that seems extremely reasonable for these speakers.

2. What amp should I use to drive the Magnepan speakers? I am looking at integrated amps only. I have heard that tube amps don't usually have enough current to drive these speakers well, so I guess I am really looking at solid state integrated amplifiers. What is the best solid state amplifier I can get for under $1000 used? A review I read suggested that a Rotel RA-1062 would be a good bet for driving these speakers. I have heard that the RA-1062 has a reputation for being one of the most reasonably priced "high end" amplifiers that can be bought. However, some would indicate that it does not have enough power to really drive the Magnepan speakers to their potential.

So, can you advise me one what type of amplifiers I should use to drive the Magnepan speakers that can be had for less than $1000 used?

3. Do you think that I should get a subwoofer to use with these speakers? I am sure this would be out of my budget, but perhaps as a future upgrade. I just want to know as I have heard that Magnepan speakers have a reputation for lacking a bit on the low end. If you think they would benefit significantly, what subs do you think would be a good match for these speakers?

4. Finally, are Magnepan speakers a good match for playing vinyl? Are there certain types of music that they do better with? My plan would probably be to start with a digital source, probably a computer or hard drive unit with a high quality dac playing lossless flac files. Then later I will buy a record player and get into the vinyl realm.

Those are all the questions I have at the moment. I do believe that Magnepan's have a reputation as some of the best values in high end speakers, so I was naturally drawn to them. I didn't think of them initially because I always thought they were out of my budget, but I have learned that all three of the models I referred to can be had for under a grand.

I hope some of you might be able to answer my questions about these speakers and designing a budget conscious system around them. Thanks for helping to make this site such a valuable resource for people like me.
jrodefeld
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
thats interesting R1g,

when I bought my 1.6s, years ago, I compared them, on the same system (Rogue gear) to Vandy 2c sig and my immediate impression was that the Maggie was way more open so I bought them. The Vandy did nothing significantly better IMO.

different strokes...
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Mrtennis, if you haven't heard a SS amp that you like in the mid and upper frequencies you have the wrong speakers.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi timorosk:

i have heard other panel speakers using ss amps, i did not like what i heard.

i have heard ss amps with cones speakers that worked well, e.g., rowland amps with avalon speakers.

i guess i am not a fan of ss amps.
jult52
155 posts
 
Jrode - First of all, you have made an excellent decision by going with Magnepan. I use them and think they are special. Don't worry about the room placement for now. They will sound great.

Since you are on a pretty tight budget, I would urge you to plan on using a passive preamp, which is a very good value (the Creek OBH-12 can be had for $300 new, to take one example). To accommodate the passives, you should select a power amp with input impedance >50k ohms generally and with a reasonable input voltage (below 2.25 or so).
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,514 posts
 
Maggies are a good choice if you can be a slave to their requirements. Placement and power is everything. If you can't place them well out from the front wall you will never hear what they have to offer. It may take quite some time to find the best place, a weekend demo won't do it.
Once you have good placement and have tried a mega power amp or two, then you can start playing with tube amps and higher quality equipment. If that is something you can do, then go ahead and get the 1.6/1.7s.
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