If memory serves, I used to read that Maggies & Bryston were paired together for trade shows. Lots of 4B's out there, they've been in production for decades. They might not double down though.
Magnepan 1.7i vs. Martin Logan ESL 8
- Thread starter MWalt
- Start date
That
Yeah, I guess I am figuring that out the hard way. That Krell may be a little older than I am looking for, but is still worthy of consideration. Shipping would raise the cost considerably as well.
Yeah, I guess I am figuring that out the hard way. That Krell may be a little older than I am looking for, but is still worthy of consideration. Shipping would raise the cost considerably as well.
what are the ratings on the Vidar run mono? I don’t know a whole lot about that amp but as mentioned earlier it seems this could be an option, running two of them.
I feel your dealer should have been more upfront about this situation, but there are some options in your budget.
I feel your dealer should have been more upfront about this situation, but there are some options in your budget.
400wpc into 8ohms, looks to be pretty impressive.
The 1.7i is a 4 ohm speaker. Vidar as monos with these speakers will cause issues in a best case scenario.
Magnepans shift the paradigm of cost ratio for amp to speaker. That is just part of the cost of ownership. Do you need a high power amp to get the best sound from Maggie’s? Yes if realistic decibels are required.
Yeah, the Vidars in mono look good in theory, but reports indicate they go into shutdown mode when presented a difficult, low impedance load. I am just going to have to sell the Vidar and the Qacoustics 3050i's to recoup some of my losses(gains?)
Here are a few considerations in the "new" category: VTV Hypex NC1200 Stereo Amplifier | VTV Amplifier
XPA-2 Gen3 2 Channel Audiophile Power Amplifier – Emotiva Audio Corporation
Monolith by Monoprice 2x200 Watts Per Channel Two Channel Home Theater Stereo Power Amplifier with XLR Inputs - Monoprice.com
I am good with used, but nothing too old. I don't need a project. I am eyeing a used Parasound Halo A21 if I can get the owners price down. Eric from Magnepan told me the Emo is a good fit for the 1.7i's.
Richard Austen
Junior Member
Yes, that's why Maggie dealers love selling Maggies because then they get to sell you a bunch of amps and whatever amp you buy there will be a Maggie user ready to tell you it's not enough.
Just listen to your music and make sure you like the sound at moderate levels - if you have to turn it way up to like them - you're probably better off with something else - I prefer easy to drive speakers because then you can buy amplifiers based on sound quality and not whether they have 1500 watts at 2 ohms or not. Fortunately, most solid-state power amps have very high depreciation so finding an amp with high power at 3-4 ohms is not terribly hard to find. I'd probably skip all Class A/B SS amplifiers anyway and look into class D.
I picked up some Wyred4Sound mAmp Monoblocks last year on Black Friday discount - $999 each regular but $649 reduced - maybe have a look at them. Or the model up from them if they go on sale - or if you really want to spend more there are other makers. I was considering JC-1 monoblocks and a JC5+ (both way WAY more expensive) and I am glad I went with the mAmps.
Other reviewers on our staff used Wyred4Sound amps on Magnepans and Soundlab speakers so they have enough power. So if you are looking for an affordable option take a look at their website when Black Friday rolls around. Nothing doubles into 4 ohm - all the makers do is downgrade the 8 ohm rating. So the maker that says 100w @8ohm and 200 @4ohm - when independent measurements come back the amp actually outputs 140watts at 8 ohms. Every Bryston owner who bought a 3B gets a card in the box with the actual measurements - the amp was rated 120watts per channel but the card you got would say 167watts.
250 watts at 8 ohm
430 watts at 4 ohm
mAMP
An award-winning, "green" monoblock amplifier that is compact, powerful and refined.
This isn't the first time I have seen a recommendation for the Wyred4Sound amps with Maggies. I believe they are out of stock for the ST mkII Series (2 channel) which is the more affordable version.Yes, that's why Maggie dealers love selling Maggies because then they get to sell you a bunch of amps and whatever amp you buy there will be a Maggie user ready to tell you it's not enough.
Just listen to your music and make sure you like the sound at moderate levels - if you have to turn it way up to like them - you're probably better off with something else - I prefer easy to drive speakers because then you can buy amplifiers based on sound quality and not whether they have 1500 watts at 2 ohms or not. Fortunately, most solid-state power amps have very high depreciation so finding an amp with high power at 3-4 ohms is not terribly hard to find. I'd probably skip all Class A/B SS amplifiers anyway and look into class D.
I picked up some Wyred4Sound mAmp Monoblocks last year on Black Friday discount - $999 each regular but $649 reduced - maybe have a look at them. Or the model up from them if they go on sale - or if you really want to spend more there are other makers. I was considering JC-1 monoblocks and a JC5+ (both way WAY more expensive) and I am glad I went with the mAmps.
Other reviewers on our staff used Wyred4Sound amps on Magnepans and Soundlab speakers so they have enough power. So if you are looking for an affordable option take a look at their website when Black Friday rolls around. Nothing doubles into 4 ohm - all the makers do is downgrade the 8 ohm rating. So the maker that says 100w @8ohm and 200 @4ohm - when independent measurements come back the amp actually outputs 140watts at 8 ohms. Every Bryston owner who bought a 3B gets a card in the box with the actual measurements - the amp was rated 120watts per channel but the card you got would say 167watts.
250 watts at 8 ohm
430 watts at 4 ohm
mAMP
An award-winning, "green" monoblock amplifier that is compact, powerful and refined.wyred4sound.com
Right now I have two choices; sell the Magnapans or get another amp. I am not happy about this, believe me.
Try1256
Very Special Member
Have a look at these.
Stratos Stereo Amplifier - Odyssey Audio
With build quality and performance often found in amplifiers many times its price, the Stratos stereo amplifier truly punches above its weight
odysseyaudio.com
Here's an interesting amp I've been looking at. Might fit your power requirement and budget. Mini GaN 5 Balanced Power Amplifier take a look at the reviews on this amp, if credible, they're very high praise.
Very interesting, Steven.
Update on the Magnepan 1.7i's. I have been playing these speakers a lot and rotating different amps to try with them. I have already sent two amps back as well as an amp I borrowed. I have these babies dialed in now. I would say that they are broken in and I can truthfully say...these speakers have to be one of the best, if not the best deal in speakers for their price. The only way they ever get sold is if I move and don't have the proper setting for them or I want to upgrade to the bigger maggies. They sound great with any genre of music to include rock. I call bullshit on anyone that says they don't play well with rock music. Last night, I had a late evening out of body experience listening to a CD I made of my favorite songs by the band Tool. I was listening to Forty Six & 2 and when the bongos started to hit I could have sworn they were behind me. I almost jumped out of my chair.
I understand that all gear has its compromises, but if you have the space and a big amp with lots of current/watts the Magnepans are hard to beat.
I understand that all gear has its compromises, but if you have the space and a big amp with lots of current/watts the Magnepans are hard to beat.
Try1256
Very Special Member
so which amp did you end up with?
ICTWoody
No longer a junior member
I’m curious too. There is a pair of 1.7i’s local to me and I think I could get them for a grand.
- Woody
OMG that's a deal!!
Still working on it. I have decided that I don't care much for Class D with the 1.7i's. I tried a Crown XTi 1002. I rent my sons saxophone from a music store that carries pro gear and he let me try it.. I also tried a mini Gan 5 and sent it back to store after a few days. To be fair, I haven't tried a high end class D amp yet. I borrowed a 15 year old Bryston 4B (recapped/serviced) that I liked as well as an older Adcom gfa 555 from the same friend. The Bryston sounded real nice, better than the Adcom, but both were good. I currently am trying an Emotiva XPA-2 gen3 upon recommendation from Eric at Magnepan. I have only had it for a few days, but so far I like it. Way better than I expected. I have 30 days to return it so I am going to work it out for awhile.
One thing about the Magnepan's that I like; they are so revealing that they allow you to easily discern differences in cabling, phono preamps, cartridges, DAC's etc.. I have been real busy trying this and trying that.
I have found that in my room 5 feet from the front wall, 3 1/2 feet from the side walls, and slightly towed, tweeters out works the best for me. So far.
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Congratulations and if this is a new thing for your setups, welcome to the nightmare
Thanks (I thinkCongratulations and if this is a new thing for your setups, welcome to the nightmare
). This is not a new thing, but changes in gear, cables, etc. have never been as obvious as before the magnapans. Although not to the extent of my cars and boat, the audiophile rabbit hole just got a whole lot deeper.
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Try1256
Very Special Member
Everytime my wife mentions how much I spend on my audio hobby, I say 4 words “I have no boat”. Thats all it takes.Thanks (I think