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Audio Research Ref 150 or 250 with Maggie

hi,

Looking at buying either Audio Research Ref 150 stereo amp or 250 mono amp.

Currently I have Magnepan IIIa, but looking to upgrade to 3.7 or 20.7

Research indicates that Ref 150 is probably sufficient to drive the 3.7. I listen to all genre of music, but most often classical. Like everyone who care about their hearing, I do crank up volume occasionally but always within reasonable limit.

3.7 and 20.7 have same or very similar sensitivity, so is it fair to say that if Ref 150 can drive 3.7, then it can drive the 20.7?

Another big question I have is with regards to stereo amp vs. mono amp. with both amps being called 'great amps', will there still be significant sound quality improvement by going with mono amps instead of stereo amp (setting aside the potential affect of higher power of 250 vs. only 150 watts in the Ref 150)?
clin36

Showing 1 response by lak

lak's avatar
lak
4,723 posts
 
If you can afford the Ref 250 mono blocks and have the space for them that's what I'd recommend. I think the mono blocks would most likely sound better (by a slim margin) then the 150 but it's a matter of dimensioning returns and only you know your financial situation. I believe the Ref 150 would work nicely. I'm not sure if the Ref 75 really has the power you are looking for to drive the Maggies? As was mentioned Kal at ARC would most likely know.
Please post your findings here, because it's a really good question that has come up before but no one seems to post their findings.
I drive my 3.7's with a Plinius Reference SS amp so I think I have 450 watts per channel.
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