2. amps-preamps
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Recommendation for used Amp to power Magnepan 1.6

I am searching for a used Solid state amp to drive my Magnepan 1.6 speakers. The amp will be paired with 20 year old Sonic Frontiers tube pre-amp. Have been using 40 w tube amps. Want to keep the price below $1000.00. I am considering a Belles 150a Hot Rod amp. Not sure if it has the power to drive my 86 dB maggies.

I would appreciate any feed back.

sml19
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,248 posts
 
If you can find the old PS Audio 200C in good working order, it puts out 200w/ch at 8 ohms, 400 at 4. I've seen them go for around $400. Check the power supply capacitors!
richopp
760 posts
 
@Ihassaguy is correct.  High current and a quality item is best.  With Maggies, you only hear what you put in, so what you hear is whatever the designer of the amp wanted to feature.

Cheers,

Richard
birdfan's avatar
birdfan
177 posts
 
I run my 1.7i’s with an old Anthem MCA 20. Great sounding amp and you can find one for well under your budget. 

Best
zimmerma's avatar
zimmerma
102 posts
 
Re birdfan: I do too.... the Anthem MCA 20 is an excellent choice to drive the 1.7i.
wisciman99's avatar
wisciman99
75 posts
 
I have the Maggie 1.7QR's driven with a Parasound Halo A-21.  It is a wonderful combination.  It may be a few hundred outside your range, but worth every penny IMHO.  Being a class A/AB amp it runs warm, but never hot, and has all the gusto and clarity of the bigger money amps, your results may vary.
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