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Magnepan 1.6QR

Well, I'm sure at least some of you have heard this one before. I walked into a shop, heard the Magnepan 1.6QR's and fell in love. I ordered them knowing full well I'd opened a can of worms for an amp. All I had at home was a Denon 85 watt X 7 receiver for my home theater. My separates were sold off last year when I bought a house.
So here come the Maggies next week and I need something that will work. I know I probably need to spend 2-3K to get the most out of them, but I'm not quite ready for that. I just paid for a HD projector and 120 inch screen! There's only so much money under the mattress.
So the question....is there an amp that will work "reasonably well" with the Magnepan 1.6 for now. I was looking at the Nad C372, which has good reviews and seems to have watts and current to work, but how bad will I be mistreating them? I actually made the shop play the 1.6QR's with a 125 watt Rotel receiver and thought they did quite well with it, but the shop was horrified!
So in time I'll buy better, but is the Nad C372 a good start? Anything else around that price (below or a bit above 1100-1200 dollars) I should consider?

Thanks for any suggestions and tips....

Previous gear owned
Rotel
SVS
Carver Amazing
Heybrook
Royd
B&W
B&K
M&K
Paradigm...and all the rest!

Robert
robbob
lak's avatar
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lak
4,626 posts
 
A used Plinius intergraded (option of using as an amp, preamp or both) 8100, 8150 or 9200, will easily drive the 1.6's with plenty of volume and sound some what tube-like. You should be able to find some on the used market in your price range.
A used Krell intergraded is also a possibility, but I'm not sure of the pricing?
eberniewon
4 posts
 
I own a pair of Magnepan 1.6QRs for my front speakers and MG12s for the rear. I drive all 4 of them with Odyssey power amps. (http://www.odysseyaudio.com) A 2 channel one for the front and the 3 channel for the rear. The amps are $1195 and $1595 respectively. I love the amps. I had Klaus at Odyssey upgrade the stereo amp to their extreme version. You can read reviews at Audio Review. (http://www.audioreview.com) You will also want to pay close attention to your ancillary equipment as speaker cables and interconnects are ruthlessly revealed with the Maggies. I use Nordost Biwire Blue Heavens for the 1.6s and Monster cable for the rears. Nordost Blue Heaven for all my ICsÂ….Happy listening..!!
photon46
1,082 posts
 
Robert, in addition to the Plinius and Krell integrated amps which have been mentioned, you might also consider one of Bel Canto's integrated offerings.
baileyje
45 posts
 
If I were in your position I would stick with the Denon for the time being,or, at least give it a try. When I first heard the Maggie 1.6 it was driven by a 50 wpc integrated at a stereo shop. I was mightily impressed. The shop owner told me you will still get the same Maggie sound with the low watts, but to really make them shine, you need better equipment. It would make sense to use the Denon while saving for the better equipment. Then you'll have a great system sooner.

John
ctnick
8 posts
 
Look into Classe' CAV 75 or 150 on Agon. 75 bridging 2 channels = 150Watts @ 8 ohms & 300 Watts @ 4 ohms. The CAV 15 is double those amounts. the 75 about $1,000 150 about $1,700. I am using Classe 151 with 300 Watts @ 4 ohms and handles the 1.6's very well with a liquid balnaced sound.
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