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Power Amp for Magnepan MG 20.1's

I recently purchased a used pair of Magnepan MG 20.1's and I am looking to add a power amp to drive them that will cost under $2,000 either new or used.

I use my 20.1's as part of my home theater set up which includes the Magnepan CC2 center channel speaker, Magnepan MG MC1's for the surround speakers and an active powered subwoofer. I watch Blu-Ray and DVD video discs and also listen to music SACD, DTS, DVD-Audio, Dual-Disc and CD's in both 2-channel and 5.1 channel formats.

I'm looking for a power amp that will allow me to bi-amp the 20.1's in addition to powering the center channel as well as the left and right surround channels so I will need an 7-channel power amp.

I am using an Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player which plays all of the disc formats that I named above including the 5.1 material so I need to integrate a 7-channel power amp with my current A/V receiver so that the receiver can continue to decode the high-definition audio being received via the HDMI output from the Oppo BDP-93 player such as Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Can anyone recommend a high quality 7-channel power amp that will fit my needs that will allow me to continue to play all of the audio and video formats I mentioned and bi-amp the 20.1s all for under $2,000?
southernphoenix
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I'd be interested to hear what that would sound like. I have not liked many of the ICE amps that I have heard with Maggies, with Wyred being an exception, the BelCanto's were pretty good, but niether was in the same league as a good high powered amp. As I've said, I like Bryston, as does Magnepan obviously, with Maggies. Pass to my ear is the best match, but not cheap.

For my rig, my Cary's are the best I have tried, followed by the Bryston 7sst2.

Good luck, let us know how it sounds.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Agree with Mac . Iv'e heard the 20.1's in many different systems , The Pass Labs XA160.5's were the only amps that made 20.1's sound right , to me .
In all honesty I don't think you'll hear what the 20.1's have to offer with an amp anywhere near the price you mentioned .
magfan
1,583 posts
 
No way to get 7x1000 out of an amp on a single powerline connection.
Any channel 'one-at-a-time' will meet spec, but not all channels driven.
The hi-efficiency rating of ICE modules is only at full power. Efficiency drops from that peak as output drops.

You should get a power meter like the Kill-a-Watt and watch your line voltage sag when you crank it up.

Outlaw makes a nice mono amp which when buying 7 of 'em comes in under budget.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html

Outlaw also makes a 7 channel monster for just a few bucks more.

part of your improvement plan should include at least a PAIR of new 20 amp lines for just amps.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
You know, the really big older Parasound, I think it's a 3500, might fit the bill. I agree with Magfan, you won't get what you want from the amp you are contemplating.
southernphoenix OP
11 posts
 
I've already purchased the D-Sonic and will have it next week.

I feel confident that it will be more than adequate for my purposes.

For the record I don't tend to play my music or movies at the same high levels as most people and in the 15 years that I've been listening and watching movies just using an A V receiver I've never once hearddistortion and that was just at 100 watts per channel.

I appreciate all of the help and advice that everyone has offered.

Some of the power amps that were suggested are simply too expensive for me. I don't have $5k plus to spend on an amp. The D-Sonic amp that I bought is a custom version that originally sold for about $3800 and I was able to get it for about $2700 so that's pretty much all I can afford to spend unless I hit the lottery at this tIme.

Compared to just using an A V receiver I would expect the improvement in sound to be quite substantial in my case.
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