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Magnepans

I'm kinda new to the plannar/magnepan world, but I am really interested in trying out a pair after all the reviews I've been reading. From what I understand these speakers are quite power hungry. What is the minimum I need to properly drive these? 
I currently have a VAC Avatar integrated tube amp. These are the stats:
Type: Integrated vacuum tube amplifier with MM phono stage and home theater (direct power amplifier) mode.
Tube Complement: two 12AX7 low noise (phono), two 12AX7 (line stage), three 12AU7/6189A (power amplifier), and four EL34 (power amplifier)
Options: Remote control for volume (motorized direct control) & mute
Power amplifier ("Home Theater" direct mode):
Output matching: 4 or 8 ohms nominal
Power output: 60 watts/channel ultra-linear; 27 watts/channel triode
Frequency response: 9 Hz - 35 kHz +0 / -0.5 dB, 3 Hz - 71 kHz +0 / -3.0 dB
Power bandwidth: 11 Hz - 63 kHz + 0 / -3.0 db ref. 50 watts
Gain: 25 dB ultra-linear; 23 dB triode
Residual noise: 1.5 mv at 8 ohm output
Channel separation: -72 dB @ 1 kHz; -60 dB @ 10 kHz
Line stage preamplifier:
Gain: 24 dB
Maximum input signal: Infinite (attenuation precedes line stage)
Noise contribution: Approx. 0.1 mv at power amplifier output 
THD contribution: Approx. 0.04% 
Tape output: Unity gain from selector, non-inverting 
Phono stage preamplifier: 
Gain: 37 dB (measured at tape output)
MC phono stage in place of the MM optional 
Residual noise: 3 mv at output (S/N ratio approx. 69 dB) 
Overload: 117 mv @ 1 kHz = 8 volts RMS output, 460 mv @ 10 kHz 
Frequency response: RIAA +/- 0.25 dB 
Notes: Does not invert absolute phase. 

Anyone know if these will do or if I'll have to upgrade? Love the tube sound . . . will I need to go solid state for Maggies? Thanks for putting up with the noobie question :) 
the_nature_boy
icanskate
36 posts
 
Hi.. I have Maggie 1.7s that I am driving very nicely with tubes..a Primaluna Dialouge Premium @ around 40wpc utilizing kt88s in the amp. This is the best my Maggie's have sounded. Previously, I used a vintage rebuilt100wpc HK 19 amp (solid state) then went tubes to a Cronus Magnum (100wpc) still searching I upgraded to the class D Rogue Pharaoh which was a major improvement in sound over all previous amps and still sounded like tubes with some nice black plates in 12au7 preamp inside (the Pharaoh was  185wpc) But the Primaluna is by far the best sounding, best detail and has the most slam...and it's the lowest wpc of the amps I've mated to the Maggie's. I'm guessing the Primaluna Dialouge HP would be even better.  My two cents:) good luck!

musicaldan
1 posts
 
I had Atmasphere M60's with Maggie 3.6's. They work fine, but I wouldn't recommend it, or tubes in general with Maggies. They don't need it, just get a good SS amp of some kind which will be an easier setup IMO. 
davide256's avatar
davide256
399 posts
 
I own MG1.7's and run them off a Prima Luna tube integrated which with KT150's has about 60 watts. The room size is 600 sq. feet. About the only time I have a power issue is with low bass, you do need more wattage for "growly" bass but  given the speakers bass roll off point I suspect its a better approach to buy a fast powered subwoofer and use a electronic crossover between pre and amp to feed the sub.  I'd suggest using a tube pre section but go solid state for the speaker  amp because its hard to make tube amps "fast" and deliver higher wattage.
the_nature_boy OP
21 posts
 
A lot of awesome amp and preamp info!  . . . any suggestions on speaker cables that might be well suited to Maggies? Or is that almost completely up to personal preference? 
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
cables and their distortion are totally up to you to pick - I suggest very short runs of lamp cord using monoblocks - then blind test some spendy cables (which will produce a reactive load and sound different, maybe not better) - tone controls and EQ, particularly in the digital realm, are the correct ways to alter the sound

both the 3.7s and the 1.7i would be upgrades to the 2.5's 

I just got back from the dealer's place and I can tell you the 3.7i's are a lot better sounding than the 1.7's (and thus the 1.7i's) - I thought vocals were a lot closer than sharp transients like brushes.  Also the larger and taller 3.7's do a better job at being a line source.

at 3x the price they should sound better, eh?

While I could not do blind testing there, the difference was significant and it would be a whale of a placebo effect if it was a visual difference not an aural one.  

I'll do some more listening next week probably.  And there may be a pair of 1.5QRs on the market in the PNW in a month or two...
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