2. amps-preamps
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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.
128x128william53b
audiomaze
128 posts
 
OP
I have driven my 1.7i's with a mc250 and a Mc275. The 275 was very sweet for most jazz and lite rock at moderate volume but tried a parasound A21+ and which handles all kinds of music with ease and is much more dynamic. 
Hope this helps.
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,516 posts
 
"...but tried a parasound A21+ and which handles all kinds of music with ease and is much more dynamic..."

Plus one
mwinkc
368 posts
 
Maggie 1.7's are not great a low volumes...they don't sound like Maggies at low volumes.
A tube preamp and a high current ss amp is a good way to go. 
OP, in your original post,  you said you upgraded the crossovers and planer tweeters. 1.7i's are entirely QR (quasi-ribbon). Did you replace the QR tweeter section with a planer one??
william53b's avatar
william53b OP
211 posts
 
The original tweeter is now part of the midrange, today. 😉


New tweeters are a line array parallel with the panel. Wood has been subtracted and added. I also included bi-ampable binding posts. 


I've been trying to document this rebuild and will sew together a little video that I’ll put together when done.
william53b's avatar
william53b OP
211 posts
 
The Parasound Halo line seems to be a consensus choice. 

A23+ is fine for the 1.7i's but an A21 if you’re planning on getting the 3.7i's.

Right?
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