Driving Magnepan 1.7

Using Yamaha P5000S on Magnepan 1.7s:

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/products/poweramps/ps_series/specifications.jsp

700wpc into 4 ohms. I think the room is about 12'Wx18'Lx8'H

I had an ARC VS-110 powering my 3.6R's back in the day. I'm thinking an ARC-55 should do just fine.

I drove Maggie 1.7's with a Krell 300Si at 300 wpc into 4Ohms.

Not enough omphh to really get them going.

Upgraded to W4S at 1000 wpc into 4 ohms. It was like listening to a whole different - better - set of speakers.

Have since sold the 1.7's and using the W4S with Maggie 3.6's and no complaints.

The OP said tubes but how about a tubed preamp or tubed CD player?

The W4S will let you hear it.

"zd542

funny, when I bought my Maggie 1.6 I compared them to Vandy 2e Sig and easily preferred the Maggies. Way more open sounding."

Its unfortunate, but I can definitely see that happening. I have no idea why, but most audio stores don't take the time to properly setup the gear they sell. This is almost always the case with Vandersteen. There's certain things you need to do if you want to get the best out of them. I've been to many Vandersteen dealers over the years and the only one that sets them up properly is Audio Connection in NJ. You can make a similar case for Magnepan. Even though they wouldn't be my first pick, with a little time, I got my 1.7's to sound way better than I've ever heard them in any store. I've never seen the logic in that. You would think that audio dealers would want to do everything in their power to get the best sound out of their own equipment.

Great discussion that I can relate to in many ways. I have had Maggie 1.6's for years and have used them with a Bryston 3BST which was very good. I upgraded to the ARC 150.2 Tripath Amp, which was a major improvement in almost every department. I have stayed with this combo, which also includes the Audibile Illusions M3A Tube Preamp. I feel no need to change. This is a match made in heaven. I also use a Vandersteen sub, very sparingly, mainly because it opens things up even more! Sound stage, imaging, etc, sublime. Incredible sound.

I also have another system with Vandersteen 3A Sigs driven by Red Dragon M-500 Mono Blocks. I tried them with Quicksilver V4's which were very nice and smooth, with a deep sound stage, but to my ears, too much of the same thing in both speakers and amps. The RD M-500's (Class D) bring more snap and punch to the party while also bringing out the beauty and finesse that the Vandy's have in spades. The RD amps are driven by an ARC SP16 Tube Preamp and SCE HRS Interface. Again, sound stage, imaging,etc, sublime! Incredible sound as well.

Vandersteen and Magnepan are both wonderful loudspeakers and when you take the time to feed them and set them up properly, you really can't go wrong. That's the problem with most demo's of them:improper set up and not the right synergy with front end components.
I've gotten almost all of my gear from John Rutan and the crew at Audio Connection in Verona, N.J. They know how to do it correctly with both Magnepan and Vandersteen, and can help you with set up in your own home. Your room is just as important as the gear so you'll have to take the time to see what set-up works best for you and your tastes.

I also might add that the Quicksilvers are sublime with an old pair of Snell E-III's. It's taken a long time and a lot of moving things around, but I've never been so happy with my audio systems. Good luck with your audio endeavors.