2. amps-preamps
  3. 166816-161044

Magnepan LRS- what amp should i consider? (sub $2,000)

Howdy!   Help !
I'm not very current on high end equipment these days- I bought my Vandersteen 2CE's about 20 years ago, and haven't been tracking the market since.   

But, since I'm going to "test drive" a pair Magnepan's LRS soon - I need to lasso a more powerful and detailed amp (my Adcom 50 wpc thang is not gonna cut it).  I could go new or used. I listen to a lot of Jazz and G  Dead, and often play things loud.  The room is 11 x 21, and has some useful sound absorbing panels behind the listening "station".

I'd really appreciate any thoughts on a suitable power amp or integrated amp - at a somewhat reasonable price. And- given the rest of my qwipment (noted below) should I invest in some cables & interconnects too?

My (fairly humble, but exciting) system:
Harmon Kardon T60 TT w/a Audio Technica VM 540 ML stylus-  running thru a Nakamichi 610 preamp.  I'm streaming my >8,000 song iTunes library from an Apple TV box into a Cambridge Audio DAC 100. Also have a HSU sub hooked in too. I don't own any fancy cables or interconnects.

Thanks!
philvk16
dougm5740's avatar
dougm5740
13 posts
 
I have the Maggie.7's and have had 3 amps on them, they like a lot of current, my experience anyway. I wound up with a Parasound A21, used in your budget. They sing, didn't like the class d with them, no flames please, just my personal preference. Had an Emotiva, nice amo but not enough. 

Reiterating, they like big current and power, it's crazy how much they can use but man are they magical.
terry9
2,253 posts
 
I am a big fan of Bryston - have owned 4, used with Mags and subs. You should be able to get a 3B SST used for that price - a very good match - maybe even a factory refurbish. Call Bryston and see.

Five year warrantee on factory refurbished. Yes, five.
terry9
2,253 posts
 
I understand that Magnepan uses Bryston electronics for reference. Just sayin'.
terry9
2,253 posts
 
Phil, I think that you have done very well to avoid higher priced cables and interconnects. Wait until you're well into 4 figures before you even think about it again. Spend on what makes the biggest difference, like better speakers and better amps.

Cables and interconnects offer the least bang for the buck, IMO. YMMV.
stevehardy1
77 posts
 
I agree with the previous comments on Bryston Amos. The work well with Maggie's & you can find a used one in your price point. Yes, Magnepan used to demo their speakers with Brystons a while back. Another GREAT amp for the Maggie's is a used Aragon 8008bb. Great build quality (mil spec) and put out 400 wats into 8ohms. I had one driving my 1.7is for a while until I upgraded to a PS Audio BHK. 
More to discover