Tried a Bryston 4B with Maggies

Isn't it 400w into 4 ohms? How could power be lacking? You may not like the sound but surely it is not a power issue. I use Berning ZH-270 amps with my 3.6's and they are only 100w into 4 ohms and I have plenty of power.
Alan

what else did you try? how do you like your maggies?

I used a 3B with my 1.6's and it sounded great. I agree with the statements that have been made regarding synergy of the Bryston Amps with the Magnepans. It was one of the best Solid State Amps I heard with those speakers (I like the Audio Research D300 better, but only marginally, and it was a much more expensive amp than the Bryston).

Yeah, I don't believe this guy either.

Isn't it 400w into 4 ohms? How could power be lacking?

Arh, just because a power amp has high wattage does not mean that power could not be lacking.
Power = voltage * current.
This amp could have a high (secondary) voltage transformer (that produces the 400W into 4 Ohms) but this transformer could have a very low current rating.
This would mean that this power amp would be (severely)lacking the ability to drive current into the speaker load making it inappropriate for use with current hungry speakers.
I believe (& correct me if I'm wrong) that Maggies, in general, are current hungry speakers. if the power amp cannot deliver current into such a load, the sonics are going to be anemic.
Hope that this makes sense....