best amp for a Maggy 1.7i

i too would like a pair of jc1 monos for 1500

link please?... 🤣

There is no $1500 amp that can drive 1.7s effectively.

i think this statement is too strong... depends on room and volumes desired of course, but if both are fairly standard, here are some to consider that should do the job fine - these are integrateds so bypasses the need for preamp

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649844427-hegel-h160-integrated-amplifier/ - might be able to get it down close to 1500, if budget allows for preamp in addition to 1500 for the power amp, then this can work

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649719092-mint-exposure-3010-s2d-integrated-amp/ - exposures are quite stout

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649825721-lyngdorf-tdai-2200-digital-amp-w-roomperfect/ - ditto above... very capable unit

for power amps, these will do very well imo

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649851411-odyssey-stratos-extreme-with-factory-modifications-in-pristine-condition/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649850068-conrad-johnson-mf2500-amp/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649848002-ayre-v1-amplifier/

(no affiliation to any of the above... op should do all normal due diligence)

@russ69  got it

btw, i re-read the op's saying he wants more detail, despite using a b&k 442...  might simply suggest getting a schiit loki/loki+ and turn up the treble

a nad will NOT be the answer

like anything else, it is useful to understand what we are dealing with factually - and in specific terms -- when it comes to driving speakers, and here, specifically maggies

maggies, big and small, are 4 ohm, purely resistive loads (meaning there are not torture chamber drivers/crossovers with their difficult electro-mechanical resonances that an amp has to deal with - large doses of inductance/capacitance - i.e. phase angles the amp must see and deliver its modulated energy into)

as such, the megnepans are not particularly 'difficult' loads to drive (impedance does not fall well below 4 ohms, amps sees a pretty simple resistor ahead of it) but the amp does need to deliver alot of current (flow/volume of energy into that load) into it to activate and control the substantial mylar panels

there are (and have been) famous torture chamber speakers like big thiels, focals, acoustats etc where impedance drop to 2-3 ohms in the bass region, and with great reactivity - magnepans pose none of these challenges -- but maggies do need strong current delivery (and thus excellent power supply design/strength and control on the part of the amp) into their purely resistive 4 ohm load 

it is helpful to know what one is dealing with, and then get the right tool built for doing that job