I have Maggie MG 1.6's - need amp advice

For years I used Bryston amps,Audio Research pre's,and 1.6's with very satisfying results.There seemed to be a natural synergy between Bryston amps and Maggies.This maybe urban legend,I was told when Magnepan and or Bryston went on a road show they used each others products to show case their equipment.Actually, the guy to talk to is James Tanner,he's Brystons point guy.He sold me my first pair of Maggies back in the 80's.

My MG1.6 never sounded better than when driven by CarverPro ZR1600 digital power amps...600 watts/channel into 4 ohms. Synergy I think. You can buy these amps brand new for less than a grand. My experience, and some measurements, with these amps convinced me that Maggies "like" powerful amps.

At present I have come down to CI Audio D200 monoblocks, 350 watts into 4 ohms. This is enough for me because I run my custom subwoofer systems up to 80 Hz or higher. (The ZR1600 amps now drive the subwoofer systems).

It's a question of more factors than just watts. When I had Maggie 1.6's I used Adcom, Luxman, Belles HotRod 150a, and PS Audio's HCA-2 amplifiers which were all rated basically the same power output. All but one were absolutely mediocre with the 1.6's, the PS Audio amp really made them come to life. That amp was heads and shoulders above the others in every parameter. The design of that particular amp's output stage apparently integrated vastly better. Current delivery and compatibility with 4 ohm resistive loads are very important factors, watts ain't everything.

You really need to determine at what loudness levels you listen at or would like to listen at, then you can start to narrow your possible choices of amps and power.

I listen to all types of music (mostly rock and jazz)at levels between 75dbs to 85-88 dbs in a room size of 14' X 24' X 8' high ceilings. I am sitting around 9' from my 1.6's and for me, my 100 wpc KT88 tube based Music Reference RM-200 is way more than enough. That's not to say the other's suggestions above are wrong or out of whack. It is all about what you need in your particular case to achieve the sound levels you're wanting.

BTW, I also owned a Dodd Audio EL34 based tube amp that produced 50 wpc and achieved the sound levels I was looking for as well. I just wanted a different sound, hence the RM-200.

Good luck!

i too have magnepan 1.6 speakers and am looking for an amp. i am looking for a tube amp. i am considering the macintosh 2102 (100 watts) or the wolcott stereo amp (140 watts). i don't think either of these amps is insufficient to power this speaker. remember, quality of sound is more important than spl.