Best Cheap Amps for Magneplanar Speakers

I demoed 1.7s at Audio Connection, where Johnny had them hooked up to NAD amps.  Don't remember the model number, but from my familiarity with the NAD range I was able to tell it was a bit older but was not one of the big boys (i.e., it was smaller than a 218thx).  But I thought they showed really well and there was no shortage of headroom.  If you can find a NAD S200 (225 x 2 into 8 ohms, and doubles into 4), I think you should try it.

This all being said, I ended up buying Vandersteens after that demo.  :)

Great to hear from you after all this time frogman. Hope all is well.

Berning is a great suggestion.

Best to you frogman,
Dave

used bel canto ref1000 will do the best trick, but i'm more agree with cedargrover towards maggies. i also like krell integrated amps nearly with all speakers and speaker types.

I agree with frogman's post.  I've been listening to Maggies since I bought my MGI Imp  back in 1980 ( still own that pair) but currently listening to 1.7's.  I have owned and used a variety of high power SS amps ( Yamaha, Emotiva, Conrad Johnson) but my favorite by far is my current Jolida 502p with Tungsol KT 150 output tubes.  It just sounds more realistic and full bodied than the SS amps I've tried and with 60 watts per channel is quite sufficient for my listening tastes.  I've owned for 2 years now and frankly I have no desire to look elsewhere.

Are there any solid-state designs that will give a similar sound to what frogman describes for tubes?  (I have a tube pre if that helps).

I know there are MOSFET amps that are designed to simulate the circuit topology and sound of single end triodes...

I think NuPrime is one (?)