Magnepan 1.7 to 3.7i or Pass Labs XA60.5 to X100.5


I'm in the process of upgrading my system and facing a choice. Currently I'm using an pass labs amplification (XONO, X1, XA60.5) feed by Michell Gyro, SME IV and Shelter 90x and ending with Maggie 1.7 (mye sound stands).

I've listened to both 3.7i and Wilson Sabrina, Sashas, all of which could benefit from a bit more amp.

I have a dedicated music room (12x10) and listen to late sixties classic rock, country rock, folk as well as Cash, Owen country and vocal jazz.

I have trade-up value for the 1.7 at my dealer as well trade-up value on the XA60.5. I could probably stretch to a demo pair XA160.5 but am concerned without a dedicated power outlet I'm taxing the system. Also by the way, I don't tend to push the system beyond a bit past midpoint on the pre-amp, although the XA60.5 class-A meter dances about on complex crescendos.

Two question. Upgrade amp or speakers first assuming only one change for the next 12 months? If the amp, is the XA100.5 enough of a jump?
tgonzales

The Pass Labs XA60.5 should be fine driving the Magnepan 1.7. The Maggies are 4 ohm, the XA60.5 does not leave class A until around 120 watts. I would try one of the Magnepan bass panels. This can also make the speakers sound fuller.

I have a friend who has the 3.7i with 2 bass panels. He is driving them using a Pair of Pass 60.8 monoblocks. This is a very nice sounding setup.

Placement is very important with Magnepan speakers. I would get a setup disc that has a couple of mono tracks. This will help you check and fine tune their position.
I had the 1.7's and thought the bass was the best quality the speaker had. It was a quality over quantity issue. The only problem with that is that it makes it very difficult to integrate a sub. On top of that, your room is not that big. Will your dealer let you try a different amp, or even a sub?
I recommended the subs because I have successfully done it. The DOGMA against integrating subs with Maggies is that the Maggies' rise time (i.e., speed) is too far ahead of subs you'd put with it. That may have been true ten years ago, but there are many fast self-powered subs today.

I have two very small (9" cube) Mirage MM8 subwoofers in stereo. They aren't the deepest, but I've had little trouble integrating them with the panels and adding nearly an octave of bass extension and in-room power response.

They really popped into focus when I used a mono source and tuned the subs' phase controls (a continuous 0-to-360 deg. knob), one subwoofer at a time, until the bass snapped into focus.

The other approach as Lostbears mentioned is the Magnepan bass panels. They are so fast their frequency response can extend up to 7 Khz, so there's no problem matching speed and rise time in the 40-80Hz region. If you have the room and placement options, they're a perfect augmentation to the 1.7s. You get a piece (or two) of the 20.7 bass panel but a lot more placement options and a lot less cost than upgrading to 3.7i's.

Finally, I agree with Zd542 that the 1.7's bass quality is excellent. However, unless there's a fluke in the room acoustics or a miracle in speaker placement, you may--as I did--ultimately find the overall tonal balance a bit thin and wish for more bass quantity. One or two DWM panels or small sealed subs (such as JL Audio's Dominion d108) will do the trick.

You still won't get subterranean bass, but you'll get good sub integration and a very engaging tonal balance. You'll no longer have to listen around the 1.7's quick rolloff that starts around 55 Hz.