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Maggies to Tekton?

Hey Audiogon-ers.  I've only posted a few times, as I mostly enjoy reading the threads and comments.  I've been a 20+ year Maggie owner, and I currently have the 1.7s in my "new" (post divorce) house.  I'm a big Maggie fan, but lately I've been craving something different...something with oomph and excitement - a dynamic speaker that will get my mojo going on jazz and modern rock.  The Tekton line-up piques my interest, especially the affordable models - Mini Lore  and Lore Ref.  I mean, damn, for under a grand I can take the plunge.  Plus, they have a  60 day return policy!  My amp is the McIntosh MA 252, and I have a Sony HAP player for digital and Music Hall 'table for LPs. My questions:  For the extra money, is the Tekton Lore Reference the way to go?  Is there another affordable, high efficiency brand that I should consider?  Is there anyone out there who has gone from Maggie to another (dynamic) brand and hasn't regretted the move?  Thanks! 
jrod68
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
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dancole
15 posts
 
I had a pair of Maggies (the small MMGIs) and now have the Tekton DIs (but with ribbon tweeters instead of the standard arrays). To be sure, they are very different animals. I used the Maggies, with a suitably fast subwoofer, in a small room. In that context, they were great - so detailed, transparent, and spacious. I have my Tekton DIs in a much larger room, in which the Maggies would have been lost. In that room I needed something that moves a lot of air. The DIs are wonderful for that purpose, but they are also great to listen to a lower volumes. And they are very easy to place, which cannot be said for the Maggies. As others have observed, you have a ton of options, when it comes to speakers that give a different experience from Magnepans. But you won't find many at or near the Tekton's price point.  
aewarren
659 posts
 
At 100 WPC, your McIntosh amp should be adequate to power your Maggies, however the size of your new listening room may not be large enough to get the performance you were used to. When Maggies don't get that combination of enough space and enough power, they lose their magic and I don't know how much a sub would help. I've not heard any of the Tektons, but suspect  an apple-to-oranges type comparison which might be just what you're after considering all the recent changes in your life. Best of luck and please keep us posted.
chatwin123
1 posts
 
you may want to check out quad esl 2812 or 2912 or even esl64's. your amplifier is powerful enough to drive most speakers. if you want some high efficiency dynamics, tannoy or klipsch are very nice also.
snapsc
676 posts
 
As you know the 1.7s present a large image, which for some is a fair trade off for dynamics. 

The Lore Reference may disappoint in two areas... image size and low end. 

Consider upsizing to the Lore (with its 10” driver).. or even larger.  Zu may also be worth looking into.  

Remember that you will have return shipping costs if you buy new.  And don’t be afraid to buy preowned... there are a number of good Tekton offerings and much of the depreciation is out of the way if you decide to resell. 
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