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Audio Research Ref 150 or 250 with Maggie

hi,

Looking at buying either Audio Research Ref 150 stereo amp or 250 mono amp.

Currently I have Magnepan IIIa, but looking to upgrade to 3.7 or 20.7

Research indicates that Ref 150 is probably sufficient to drive the 3.7. I listen to all genre of music, but most often classical. Like everyone who care about their hearing, I do crank up volume occasionally but always within reasonable limit.

3.7 and 20.7 have same or very similar sensitivity, so is it fair to say that if Ref 150 can drive 3.7, then it can drive the 20.7?

Another big question I have is with regards to stereo amp vs. mono amp. with both amps being called 'great amps', will there still be significant sound quality improvement by going with mono amps instead of stereo amp (setting aside the potential affect of higher power of 250 vs. only 150 watts in the Ref 150)?
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unoear
141 posts
 
The best solution from ARC, by far, is the REF 75...try it, you'll like it.

Cheers!
needfreestuff's avatar
needfreestuff
572 posts
 
Its been my experience that the more power you can put to the 3.7s the better off your going to be. They just come to life when you add more power. Best of Luck
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
I seem to recall that someone reviewed the Ref 150 and said it was adequate to drive the 3.7s, but implied barely so. I realize that the Ref 250s cost substantially more than the Ref 150, but I would err on the side of more power than less. Call Kal at ARC. He is very familiar with the Maggies and should provide excellent advice.
raymonda
855 posts
 
If you don't mind looking beyond ARC, consider Rogue m180's. I use the M120's with my MGIIIa's, tweaked out of course, with stellar results. The sound even better....by a wide margin, over the Classe I was using and the Classe sounded very good.

Sorry that I don't have experience with ARC but I would think that if you can swing more power go for it.
gpgr4blu
1,094 posts
 
Bifwynne is right. Ask Kal at ARC. ARC has Maggies (as well as Wilsons and Sonus Fabers) in house. He will not lie to you.
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