I'm running Maggie 3.7i's with a McIntosh C2300 tube preamp and a Bryston 4B3 amp. A used Mac preamp could be close to your budget. I feel that this is a nice setup.
Tubes for Magnepan’s.
I think next up on my acquisition list is a tube amplifier. I'm not looking for the be all end all, cause I don’t think there is a definitive "Best", so am looking for as good as I can get for $3-4k.
Because tubes drive speakers so much more efficiently than solid state I am only looking for 40-50 watts to drive my modded Maggie’s, 1.7i's. (Or what you have when you add a new crossover and planer tweeters to 1.7i's.) Maybe 2.7x? I haven’t settled on that yet. And I have some Zu Dirty Weekend's upgraded to the max coming in in 2 months to replace my KEF's.
Anyway, I haven’t had a tube device since my Halicrafter short wave radio, and reviews are not the same as advice from people that own something. There is a Rouge Audio dealer in my area, last I looked, (opps, they no longer carry them), so I may have to go to another market to hear something, or get a try before you buy from a manufacturer or dealer.
You folks have taught me a lot, and I think asking users is the right thing to do on this change in direction.
Thanks in advance.
Because tubes drive speakers so much more efficiently than solid state I am only looking for 40-50 watts to drive my modded Maggie’s, 1.7i's. (Or what you have when you add a new crossover and planer tweeters to 1.7i's.) Maybe 2.7x? I haven’t settled on that yet. And I have some Zu Dirty Weekend's upgraded to the max coming in in 2 months to replace my KEF's.
Anyway, I haven’t had a tube device since my Halicrafter short wave radio, and reviews are not the same as advice from people that own something. There is a Rouge Audio dealer in my area, last I looked, (opps, they no longer carry them), so I may have to go to another market to hear something, or get a try before you buy from a manufacturer or dealer.
You folks have taught me a lot, and I think asking users is the right thing to do on this change in direction.
Thanks in advance.
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- 104 posts total
About 35 years ago I drove Tympani IV w a 70w tube amp for the mid tweet and 350wpc SS for the woofer. The system could raise the hair of the back of your neck, it was so scary realistic. Queen, London Phil, Ben Webster all 'lived' in my room. see
ieLogical Audiophilia Redux
Today, I have 150wpc driving the woofers, 125wpc tube [see ieLogical VTA M-125 ] for the mids and 36wpc for the tweets on Eminent Tech LFT-8b. Use the right kind of power in the right places. |
@ieales That's my kind of finagling. I find manufactures attempts to build homages to existing technological presentations often tiring when cross pollination can yield much better results. Being able to afford 3 amps for a stereo that you can match to the drivers can actually save you a lot of money in the end. |
That's my kind of finagling.I forgot to say Class D for the woofers and tube for the tweets. I also have 2 subs and roll the bottom octave out of the woofers which is an effective 200+ watts for the woofers which being nominally ≈6.5Ω is a further 20%-ish increase. Being able to afford 3 amps for a stereoThe amps cost less than some power cords. Really, really good can be had for reasonable expenditure. A 1 : 1 driver to amp ratio trumps passive crossover induced phase, impedance and driver interaction mayhem Six Ways to Sunday! |
- 104 posts total