magnepans with a sub???

Hi...i checked and see you have an ARC VT100...i cannot speak to this amp, except that i have heard the newer ARCs...at 100amps that may not be enough. I am thinking enormous Class A Solid State...Vitus, Gryphon, older Krell...these are amps which are generally quite sweet relative to other ss amps...but have a grip on bass and a power that is extraordinary. something to consider, as i do not know which area within the bass region you find lacking.

If you are looking for SPL and didnt get it, thats was do to a poor amp match. I have had MMG, MGiiia and MG3.6 all of them I could get peaks over 100db. I used Oddysey amps then upgraded to PASS

Now if your talking you want to hear under 30HZ then the sub is needed. One has nothing to do with the other

ARC LS25 pre------>
NHT X-2 active x-over (low-cut filters the main signal)
High pass from X2---->ARC VT130SE---->MMGs
Low pass from X2---->Velodyne SMS-1--->2 x Rythmik 12" subs
(SMS performs digital room correction + high cuts bass signal)

NHT X2 =$300
Velo SMS-1 =$400
MMG = $600 (when I bought 'em)
Rythnik subs 2x$800 = $1600

Total budget = $2900 for full range, room corrected bass with planar response from 75hz on up. Some won't like the idea of the NHT X2 in the main path, but it's really benign (to my ear, anyway). The SMS-1 (or, I'd guess, the SVS Audyssey unit) are almost mandatory IMHO for best results. They smooth the bass response of the subs and allow you to fine tune the "hand-off" so that it's seamless.

This is probably the best bang for the buck full-range system that I've ever heard. I also use Ohm 100s in lieu of the MMGs because the I like the omni dispersion, but that's personal taste and another $1K on the price tag.

Good Luck.

Marty

BTW - I cross at 75 hz because that's where my passive treatments (bass busters) cease to be effective. YMMV on that one. However, my MMGs operated full range (no subs) started to roll off in the high 50hz range and dropped off very sharply at just under 50hz (per the readout from the SMS-1 real time analyzer). Again, in your room, MMV, but don't count on anything approaching 30hz.

As to max SPLs, I've got more than I need with this set-up. However, I've never tried to see where the MMG maxes out on its own, so I can't speak to that one.

Hi Louisl, I have a VT100 MkIII with magnepan 3.7s. There is simply not enough power. While the VT100 sounds very good with the 3.7s when you want crank it up there is just not enough power. I have since update amplifiers to a Krell 302. This combination sings. With Magnepans you need 300 to 600 watts minimum....

Try the Gilmore Raptor monoblocks they will give you great punch with your 3.7. Good luck and keep us posted.