No Bi-Amp but tubes for Maggies -- can it be done?

I had a similar experience as Sscot1961. I drove a pair of Magnepan 1.6QRs with an ARC D-115MK2 and later a D-125. If your room isn't huge these amps provide plenty of power to make the Magnepans come to life. The midrange, especially on female vocals, is just glorious.

It CAN be done. It MUST be done.

You really shouldn't consider anything less than 100 watts/channel. However, to really make maggies sing, you should look for at least double that. Would you consider a hybrid like a moscode(tube gain, solid state output)? Regardless, be prepared to spend lots of $$$

If you are interested in other options, you might also consider Parasound JC-1s (disclaimer: I sell them). A customer who recently borrowed a pair from me to try with his MG 20.1s declared them the ones to beat, having tried quite a few other solid state amplifiers, some costing well into five figures. At some point he may biamp his speakers, which wouldn't be cost prohibitive to do with JC-1s. If you're committed to tubes, I agree with Duke's recommendation of the Wolcotts. Either way, you'll be a happy camper.

Brian

VTL 450 or 750 in Triode would be excellent the Walcott is excellent choice also.

Not a cheap option but the Atma-sphere MA 1 Mk II.2 works well with the Maggies and to my ears it is one the great amps period. It won't give you the bass slam of a BIG SS amp but you do get amazing transparency. I have not heard the Wolcotts but the MA 1 walks away from the VTL, Mac, Cary & ARC amps. The MA 1 is a bit of a room heater but it does not need spendy matched sets of output tubes. I would, however, do some tube rolling with the 6SN7s. It is also very reliable. The Atma-sphere amps do not have typical tube amp colorations so if you are looking for euphonic rather than transparent they may not be the right choice.