2. amps-preamps
  3. 1418592394

Amp for Magnepan MMGs

Please comment on the following options for driving a new pair of Magnepan MMGs:

1) Repair and maybe mod Adcom 555 and matching preamp (original 1980s equipment I think)

2) Behringer EP 4000 for $350 new. I am assuming I will need a preamp of some kind, would the Adcom work?

3) Denon 700 AV receiver for $399. Would use MMGs as L/R for 5.1 eventually

4) Other amps (tube or solid state) for $400. Have read that Magnepan prefers their speakers with tubes, but haven't seen any tube amps in this price range.

Sources will include CD and iPod. Music preferences are folk, 60s rock, female vocals, a Capella.

Have previously owned 3.6s but never powered them properly.

Will be putting these MMGs into my condo living room ( a 13x20x10 box). Sliding glass door takes up one of the narrow ends, pass through to kitchen and a hallway take up the other. Room will contain sectional sofa, desk and large chair. Floor is laminate, will have area rug down. Walls are drywall. Understand that 3 to 4 feet from walls is best, so thinking of placing speakers that distance forward of the sliding glass door wall, but am open to other suggestions.
kythyn

Showing 1 response by kythyn

kythyn OP
58 posts
 
Thanks for the quick responses.

There are plastic vertical blinds in place now, but may replace those with either fabric panels from IKEA or blackout curtains.

Not sure how I would reorient the room, since the kitchen wall has a hallway leading into the living room, and one of the long walls has the entrance to the master bedroom.

It has been years since the Adcom has been powered up. Seems to me that the preamp was missing one channel. For all I know, the amp could be healthy.

Are there some brands and models of preamps/DAC I should look at if using the Adcom amp?

I will check on the two CD players I have in storage. One is a Denon 5-disc carousel and the other is a single disc unit I picked up from the manufacturer in Denver based on comments here in 2007.

There is also an HK930 sitting in there too. Think it has one side down as well. Used it to drive my first set of Maggies in the 90s

Please keep the suggestions coming.
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