MMGs

I'm new to the MMG experience as I just got a pair a few days ago - used so they are broken in. Mine came with Sound Anchor stands which raise the panel roughly 6" off the ground, at the lowest position setting, I switched them back to their OEM stands just out of curiosity  - flush with the ground and I feel the SA stands do help both with bass and the overall clarity of the sound. I have them on hardwood floors so may be its the reflections off the floor when the panel is sitting right against the floor or the 6" space on the bottom of the panels. Or it could also be a bit more rigidity that the stands add to the frame.  Can't tell for sure what but the overall sound is better, for sure. The stands allow for an additional 8" of height but I think it'll not only make them look awkward but might make them a bit tippy although the stands are fairly wide and deep. Just a thought. 

Maggy is big  where I live , not surprising as their factory is 6 miles away.
The 4 guys I know who bought the bass panels did not like them .

Johnnyb53,

If I pick up the Halo A23, what preamp would you suggest? I am currently using a Schiit SYS passive amp because the Onix XCD88 CD player has a high gain.

Is your CD player your only source, or do you use FM, satellite radio, laptop, streaming services, etc.?

If it’s just your CD player, you could stick with your passive SYS and see how it works out. If you want a broad scope of capabilities, you might want a matching Parasound Halo P5, which has a phono pre plus several line level analog inputs, plus Toslink, S/PDIF, and USB digital inputs, plus bass management and subwoofer outputs, but at $1095.

In between those extremes, you could upgrade to a Schiit Saga, which provides several line level inputs, passive and active modes, tube buffering, and remote control all for $349. And if you don’t think it’s worth the extra money, you’re protected by that 15-day return period (minus 15% restocking fee).

Here’s another thought: jhills’ suggestion of the Rogue Cronus Magnum is an excellent one. It matches very well with the Magnepan 1.7. In fact, The Absolute Sound reviewed the Cronus Magnum and Maggie 1.7 together, and gave enthusiastic recommendations to both of the components.

The Cronus Magnum is an integrated amp, so it takes care of the power section *and* the preamp. And the preamp has both line level and a phono stage, so you have room to expand into vinyl if you’d like. In my own experience, good tube components add another level of "magic" to the 1.7s in palpability and a more satisfying musical experience.

Right now there’s a Rogue Cronus Magnum with new power tubes listed on Agon for $1650. Remember, that’s a power amp and full-functioning preamp in one chassis.

I have the 1.7s with a pair of Rel T5s and find that they blend very well.  I certainly don't hear the subs as being separate.  I find the 1.7 to be sensitive to vertical alignment.  I put a couple of 1" block under the rear legs to tilt the panel slightly forward at the top and it makes a very noticeable improvement.

Department of 2 Cents.

I just replaced MMG’s with .7’s and am thrilled, stoked, thankful, and pretty much blown away, etc. My dedicated listening room is small. 11’ wide x 13’ long with most of the rear wall open to the LR. I expected an improvement but not of this magnitude. Placement took maybe a half-hour of experimentation. Speakers are positioned approximately 3’ out from front wall, about 18" from side walls, and toed-in a few degrees. Tweeters are on the outside.

Electronics: a world-class tube preamp and, temporarily, an NAD C272 amp. Cables? Inexpensive stranded copper. With all respect, I think that a lot of "angst" and negative comments one reads in audio forums regarding Magnepans is a result of operator error, hearsay, and hyperbole.