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Maggies with Tubes?

Hey Guys,
For the last few years I have been enjoying a pair of 1975 KHorns as my main speakers but just sold them a couple of days ago.
Still have a pair of 1979 Cornwalls that I am currently driving with a Audio Space Galaxy 300 (300B in push pull, 21 wpc).
I stopped into a local shop and listened to a pair of 1.7s driven by a, I think Mac 252... and they sounded fantastic!

If I was to add a pair of 1.6s or even better a pair of 1.7s, would my Galaxy be able to drive the Maggies?

Keep in mind, I would not be expecting the output that I am use to with either of my Klipsch speakers, but I am hopeful that the Galaxy could drive both the Corns and Maggies.

Or, should I be looking at another amp (perhaps a KT88) that would be better suited to drive either of the 2 speaker systems?

Thanks in advance.
hpower
ahendler
416 posts
 
I am currently driving my 1.6qr's with ASL Hurricanes. 100 watts in triode. I have also used a VTL ST-80 with 40 watts triode. Both sound outstanding with plenty of power. Those who say you can't drive Maggies with tubes simply do not know what they are talking about
hifihvn
943 posts
 
Hpower, I think it would be best to take your amp to the dealer and try it. If they're not familiar with tubes, they'd probably want to hear one themselves. Make sure they have the speakers hooked up first also, since they may not know tubes, or tube amps. I don't think it will quite have enough power myself, but that would be easier than taking the speakers home IMO. I never owned that amp myself, but I'm familiar with a lot of tubes/tube amps, and Magneplaner speakers. A 300b puts out about 8 watts, driven comfortably . Higher outputs shorten tube life. With this amp putting out 21 watts from a pair, I think it will be overworking trying to drive this type of speaker, with a pair of 300b tubes, per channel.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Hpower,
If the Audio Space 300 has a well built and stiff power supply along with premium transformers your chance for sucess with these speakers are pretty good. As others have stated above, those factors matter greatly, and mean much more than just relying on the watts power rating alone.
hifihvn
943 posts
 
Has anyone here actually drove a pair with a high quality 20-25 watt tube amp and was happy? The OP probably would like to know.
hpower OP
21 posts
 
Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the great responses so far, I am starting to learn a little about these flat speakers.

Just to clarify, my Galaxy 300 has 4: 300Bs, 2 per channel operating in PP vs. SET.
I agree, the best way to know for sure is to try said speaker, with said amp... but looking a little more into my situation it looks like it would be stretch for the 21 wpc to the 1.6 or 1.7 justice.
Hence, I decided to list my Galaxy 300 and hopefully I do not take too much of a beating on it as it is only a little over 3 months old.

On any of my Klipsch speakers, I have not been overly happy with any SS amp that I have tried. It sounds like "most" Maggie owners would recommend a higher powered SS, maybe I would be asking too much to find 1 amp that can satisfy the traits of these 2 completely different speaker systems?

Mind you, that difference is what has attracted me to the idea of having the 2 diverse flavors to be able to sample.
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