2. amps-preamps
  3. 1106337354

Amp help for the Maggies?

Well I have settled on a pair of speakers. I went to audition a pair of maggies and was blown away. I have never heard something so musical and transparent. The dealer does not have that much selection apart from the maggies, but just for comparison sake I listened to a comparably priced B&W speakers and was almost offended. So the choice is made, I am getting maggies (MG12 or 1.6).

I have a source (AH, Njoe Tjoeb 4000), but still need to match an amp and pre-amp with these. I am thinking about doing a DIY preamp. Most likely a Modified Grounded Grid or a Modified Foreplay design. I am not sure what to do and would welcome any suggestions. My real problem is I need an amp that can deal with the power hungry 4ohm load of the maggies. My budget is about $1000 and would like to buy used. I am considering the McCormack .5 Rev A of DNA 125 but I am nervous about having that little solid state power. If anybody has any ideas please help me out. I know there are some diehard Maggie fans, let me know what you think, I have very little to audition here in Memphis TN.

Thanks
Eric Baer
iamcrazy111
slv
87 posts
 
I have Maggie 1.6QR's and drive them with an Aragon 8008BB (pre-Klipsch design). I personally love this amp, and it will output 400W into 4 ohms with tons of current. They usually sell for around $1200 used - there's one currently for sale on this site (I'm not associated with this sale in any way). :o)
sonofnorway
62 posts
 
What was driving them when you auditioned them and were "blown away"? Maybe that is your answer?

Seems like we're always trying to duplicate the magical sound we heard somewhere with different components.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
MG1.6 respond well to CarverPro ZR1600 digital amps. Good for 600 watts into 4 ohms. Mine cost only $840, but the price seems to have gone up to a grand or more. It's said that with some mods these amps rate with the best. Mine are good enough without mods.
jafox
1,467 posts
 
Greg, just out of curiosity, what is the "bad information out there" that you reference. Perhaps the Magnepans 30 years ago were easy to drive but this is just not the case today with the Series 3. The biggest mistake I read here over and over is that people buy these speakers because of what they heard at a dealer and then drive them with an amplifier that is absolutely not suited to bring out their musical potential.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Eric,
I think you've made a good choice of speaker! (If I say so myself, as a co-Maggie owner)
I'd say definitely stretch and go for the 1.6 if you can.
Later, when budget permits, add a subwoofer - a good one- like a Vandersteen or REL to really have a fun time with the Maggies. It will make a profound difference in the listening experience with the Mags.
Regarding amp; I am limited in budget too. I went with the Outlaw 755 (5 channels at 200 wpc; buy directly from outlawaudio.com) Been very pleased with both the power and presentation. They're $1300 new, via phone or online order.
Consider biamping the speakers, which will necessitate biwring them too and using four channels of multi-channel amp. All well worth it when you hear what they do receiving that much clean power.
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