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Magneplanar 1.7 and low power/tube amps

Hello,
I am moving through to a new set of speakers. I demo'd a set of the 1.7's running with fm acoustic amplifier (80w/channel according to the dealer). I have an LFD Zero and also an audio space 300B (21w/chan). Would anyone have experience with a similar output ss or tube setup with these speakers? I realise the more power perspective but my listening is really at lower volumes. The Maggies impressed me immensely, just wondering if others have real world experience with low power matching with these speakers.
Thanks in advance!
jtsin67
lewhite
156 posts
 
I would say that I didn't like my Maggies playing at low volumn. I think both pair liked to play large scale music in a large way. But that's just me.
jtsin67 OP
16 posts
 
We demo'd a bit of my usual listening CD's, including the stuff i really enjoy listening to and which is unfortunately poorly recorded. The volume was not too high, close to what i would play when i have free range at home in my current setup. I am going to take the LFD down there and give it a whirl to see how it stands up. In both cases these amps i have drive better than the wattage suggests but i am not expecting them to drive at high dB. The Maggie's really impressed with the soundstage and clarity. It would be great if i can get enough out of them with one of my amps.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
I've MEASURED my Maggies with a DVM. Not the most accurate, but carefully watching I can catch the PEAK voltage go by. Based on that, I add 20% for meter latency and use 4.5 ohms to compute power. For my 1.6s, at mid-loud / comfortable, I've never seen more than 10vac go by, even with the +20%.

This works out to 2.2amps at 22 watts.

During normal TV watching, I've never seen more than about 6v, with the 20% fudge factor.

I'm guessing that 15 clean watts, with 3db headroom may be on the 'low' side of even minimal. I would DOUBLE my 22 watts, add another 'fudge' and say 50 watts MINIMUM for any meaningful music listening. DOUBLE again and you'd be at minimal SAFE power.

I know, I'm nuts, but my ICE amp puts out 500+ per side into 4ohms, at probably 50 or 60 volts. I'm scared to test it!
jtsin67 OP
16 posts
 
I'm told the MOSFET's on my LFD will handle a 12Amp load for transients. I'm going to take it into the shop and see how we go on the stuff i am familiar with.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
The ICE amp I have is rated at 35 or 40 amps.....don't 'member.

don't forget, you've got what....a 4 amp fuse?
If at the 12 amps, the voltage of the amp has sagged to 12 volts, that's still just 144 watts....

I'd hope some amp guru type will drop by.

any place you could take your amp and listen to some Maggies? That's the acid test.
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