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Building a Magnepan System, Please Help...

Hello everyone,

I am going to be shortly building an audio system, my first high end set up ever. I have decided on Magneplanar 1.7 speakers. The reason is that everything I have read seems to indicate that they are the best deal in audiophile speakers and the sound signature appeals to me. But since I have never built a high end sound sytem before, I need some help in picking components that match up well with the Magnepan speakers.

I am on a budget here. I want to get the best quality I can for the lowest price. I will even get the Magnepan speakers used if I can find them. I would like to be up and running for somewhere in the $3000 range but I can stretch that if need be.

I have all but decided on an Emotiva amp as they seem like a good deal and others have said they match up well and have enough power to drive these speakers.

So lets start out with saying that I bought a used but good condition Magneplanar 1.7 speakers for under $1500.

Then I bought an Emotiva XPA2 for around $700.

What else do I need to have a good startin system?

I have no intention of buying a subwoofer at this time. Maybe I'll add that later.

Do I need a pre amp to pair with the XPA2? I don't know too much about high end audio. What is the precise function of a pre amp and do I need one? Please recommend one for this set up.

As for the source, I would like to get into vinyl but I will hold off on that for the present. But bear in mind that I would like to be able to incorporate a record player into this system without much trouble in the future.

Instead of purchasing a high end CD player or SACD player, I though it would make sense to get a high end DAC for a computer source like a laptop so I can store my audio on my computer.

Can you recommend a good DAC that would be not too expensive but good enough to get the most out of the rest of the components I have selected?

So far I have, Magneplanar 1.7 speakers, Emotiva XPA2, maybe a pre amp and a DAC for running digital audio from a computer source. Not counting the cables to hook everything up, this is basically what I need right?

One final question. Should I also get a power conditioner to protect my components from surges and also to "clean" the power from my home outlets? I don't want to spend this much money and have my components damaged. If I should get one, please recommend one that is inexpensive.

Thanks for the help.
jrodefeld
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Jrodefeld, You are correct. Listening to equipment prior to purchase is always good advise but it isn't always possible. There are people who don't like Maggies. If you are just getting started and haven't formed a strong set of preferences, it may be low risk for you to give the 1.7;s a try. If you are buying used, you should be able to bring a pair in, use them for a period, then resell without too much loss. The same is true of other pieces. So, you may want to stick with used and think about resale value.
Frogman's idea about tube amps is good, but may be hard to pull off with your budget. Take a look at some of the virtual systems built around 1.6s and 1.7s. You may get some ideas there.
frogman
7,478 posts
 
Jrodefeld, a little more information about what you like in the sound of stereo system and your music preferences would go a long way as far as helping others offer truly helpful advise. Being that this is your first high-end system, to a degree, you are jumping in with both feet with your choice of Maggies. I have a suggestion: why don't you try MMG's on home trial as offered by Magnepan. They are smaller than the 1.7's (easier to position) and would be an easier and less expensive way to experience the Maggie sound. You may find that the MMG's are enough speaker for you; they may not be quite like the 1.7's but are very very good for a few hundred$. Good luck
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,465 posts
 
The biggest problem with Maggies is that they often require a lot of distance from rear wall, often towards the middle of many rooms, to sound best. That's not practical for many. It depends. It worked well in my old townhouse, but I could never get it to work in my current home, so I had to move on.

The second most problematic thing about Maggies for many is the large scale dynamics at higher volumes. They require a lot of power though not much current to sing at higher volumes and in larger rooms. Higher power tube amps may be the best choice in general. High power tube amps require more care and maintenance though, and replacing tubes when needed can be expensive.

Even with the best amp, you will likely not physically feel the sound from any planar speaker like you can from a more conventional design. That may not matter to some or be of any concern for certain types of music, but I find it is, usually more so for pop/rock genres say than classical or jazz. FOr classical and jazz, and acoustic music in general, Maggies set up well can be the bomb.

Most any Maggie is hard to beat at low or even moderate listening volumes.

So no one speaker design can be all things to all people. But used for the right reasons, Maggies can be hard to beat when set up and done well.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,498 posts
 
Good luck finding a high power tube amp. in your price range it is not feasible. Go with a SS amp and a Tube preamp. youll love it.

MM
frogman
7,478 posts
 
I am going to play contrarian on this issue. I believe that the issue of Maggies needing tons and tons of power is overblown. If one prizes natural timbres, dimensionality, and is willing to live with moderate volumes and less than plaster cracking bass something like this will sound fantastic driving a pair of MMG's (no affiliation with sellers):

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-quicksilver-m60-60w-mono-blocks-2013-10-23-amplifiers-83651

For even less money, and taking into account the issue of reliability due to age this is even better. I have heard this amp with smaller Maggies and the difference between it and something like a high powered Adcom is laughable. Tubes and Maggies with this budget is possible.:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-audio-research-d-76a-tube-stereo-75-watt-audio-amp-2013-10-23-amplifiers-60
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