3.6R and Amps

Gladstone - see my review of the Pass X350 at Audioreview.com. Killer results from my MG20Rs. Will go to an ARC REF2/Pass X600 combo when I can afford them...

From what I understand, the 3.6 run best with solid state amps.

I have a pair of 3.5R and am running them with VTL MB750. I tried Bryston 7B, Audio Research VT100, Atma Sphere MA2 Mk2, Levinson 332, Cary 805C and the VTL's. From what I heard, the VTL smoked the others. Having said that, the price was 2x as well. I really liked the 805C, but you will miss the bass. I was constantly adjusting the feedback, more and the bass was better, none and the midrange was better than any of the above. In solid state the Brystons are a strong choice...spend the rest of the money on a tube preamp. But if you want the best these speakers can do VTL is a good choice. As a side note, I did not compare Classe, Pass, or BAT these may be great too.

Has anyone tried the Cary 805-C Mono Blocks?? Steve

I have 3.5R's and have been very pleased with Bryston 7B monos, a friend has the same speakers and he is using Rogue Audio 120 monos, excellent sound from both. These speakers like power. I favor monoblocks when driving planars.

I use the Moon W-5.Have yet to hear anything better.

Thanks. Does anyone have strong feelings about the Pass x600 as well?

Recent Stereophile review of Classe CAM-350 monoblocks said these are THE amps for the Maggies. Also about a year ago, the same mag mentioned SimAudio W-5 amp as an excellent choice. I've also heard the Bryston 4B (or 7B's) sound great. Lastly, the mighty PowerMaster from EAD is another great choice.

I heard these Maggies driven by a Reference Line Silver Signature amp (Stereophile Vol.20, No.7)and was flabbergasted. So much so that I bought the amp. Works equally well on my Apogees. I've been a big fan of their pre-amps and the amp line is also fantastic. They go for about $3000 used and are quite rare on the net. You will be doing yourself a dis-service if you don't try to dig one up and check it out.

There's an excellent review of the 3.6Rs in Stereophile a few months ago, and in it the reviewer goes into a lot of detail on matching an amp to the speaker. You might want to look it up.