Magnepan, How Low Can You Go...power-wise

Nissancrazy Thankyou. When you say 150 - 200w will run Magnepan speakers what model are you referring to? I am curious about the 3.6s. I assume that as you go up the line of Mag speakers you need more power. What kind of power is in those Bryston amps they run to show their speakers?

Thomastrouble,

Again my personal feelings here tell me that both the Bel and Sim should do the job as they are quality amplification and I am assuming that the power ratings we are discussing are 8OHMS, power output should come close to double or actually be double at 4OHMS so you should be more than safe.

be careful underpowering the 3.6s. you're more likely to to damage the ribbon tweeter from underpowering (clipping) than overpowering them.
From what I've read, the tweeter will fry with the tweeter fuse still intact.

Well, the maple-wood guy claims his modified small tube integrated amp (30 wpc?) can drive the 3.6. Interestingly when I've seen Magnepans at shows, the company bi-amps them with large Brystons (600 wpc?). That should tell us something.

Of course the usual considerations apply; size and furnishings of room, type of music played, preferred listening levels, etc. But my experience in listening to any model Maggie is they all have a minimum playback level where they come alive. Below that and they sound limited, as if the several veils reviewers talk about are still in place. So to me the question is not what is the smallest amp that can play Maggies, but what is the smallest powered amp that can make them perform at their potential?

Thomastrouble, I can tell you from much experience, that yes you can run Maggies 3.6r's with lower power amps, but you will not hear what they can do with those amps. They will be veiled and limited with almost no bass or impact.

If you are really keying on the smaller powered amp, you could get a different speaker that would do more for you.

The Vandersteen 3a comes to mind in that price range. With lower power amps as you want to use, you will get much better, cleaner, more open sound from the Vandy's.

I would also look at the Paradigm Signature S6, a great speaker that can be found in the same price range.

Or look for some really nice monitors that are more efficient.

You will not get what you want from Magnepan 3.6R's with low powered amps. Sound will come out, but not anywhere near what they are capable of.