A used Sanders Magtech.
Best amp options between $2k-$4 to power Magnepan 1.7?
I currently own a PrimaLuna Prologue Premium along with a Musical Concepts modded Hafler DH-200 that had been just gathering dust. Apparently I upgraded my source chain past some critical mass over the past 2 years... when previously tried, the Hafler was more dynamic than the Prima Luna but it just didn't do anything to counterbalance the better midrangecolor and tone color solidnessof the PL... now the modded Hafler just blows away the Prima Luna for dynamics, imaging and bass foundation.
So I think I should buy a good solid state amp that will improve on the Hafler; can I find one in the $2K-$4K rangethat will also come close to the Prima Luna for tone color ability, no sandpaper on vocals and have the requisite wattagefor Magnepan?
So I think I should buy a good solid state amp that will improve on the Hafler; can I find one in the $2K-$4K rangethat will also come close to the Prima Luna for tone color ability, no sandpaper on vocals and have the requisite wattagefor Magnepan?
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I plan to upgrade because it isn’t as good an amp for voice and woodwinds. It’s a very accurate amp but the reason I originally bought the Prima Luna still holds... the MC DH200 is light on tone color and male vocals have a sandpaper sound quality. I have seen a lot of past references to Bryston and Parasound, there is a Magnepan dealer in Centreville VA I’ve bought from who carries both so I can at least audition them. Willing to travel in MD-VA-NC area if other good choices exist and can be dealer auditioned. |
The Odyssey Stratos Monos, made right hear in Indianapolis, can be had brand new, in their, "Extreme" iteration, for a few hundred under your budget max. The stereo Stratos Extreme, for less than half that. Lots of options/price points, excellent sound, a no questions/30 day return policy, plus- a transferable(to second owner), 20 year warranty. Klaus does very nice work. http://www.odysseyaudio.com/index.html |
Buy this used https://www.digitaltrends.com/amplifier-reviews/anthem-integrated-225-review/ for under $1000 and spend the rest on music. Or beer. I used one with Maggies for years...it’s a GREAT combination. |
@geek101 The 1.7’s ~4ohm from 10Hz-5kHz. It drops to 2ohm at ~13kHz and to around 1.8ohm at 20kHz (I didn’t know this, as I wouldn’t think a 4ohm speaker would drop below 2ohm, as even though most don’t follow it, the standard is for the minimum impedance to not be below 80% of the nominal (so 3.2ohm in this case)). Low impedance in the treble is far less of an issue than if it were in the bass. However yes, it won’t perform optimally. So, the regular monoblocks would be more ideal, and that’s still far more power than OP would need, plus it’s much cheaper. |
I have to cast a vote for the Macintosh MA252 Integrated Amp. With a tube front end and a very robust 100W/Ch solid state power stage, this should make Maggie 1.7s absolutely sing. That it is an integrated amp with a better than decent MM phono stage and unassailable build quality are huge bonuses. I've never been a big MacIntosh fan, but this piece has just put a giant grin on my face every time I look at it or listen to it. |
mzkmxcv, can you please post the source of measurements? The only measurements I’ve seen for Magnepans seem to show an almost constant 4 ohm resistive load across the frequency range covered by the speakers. What you indicate is more like a capacitive load that the ESL speakers present to the amplifier. |
+1 on the Parasound Halo A21 stereo power amp. This is a great amp especially for the money. Also consider the big Rotel RB-1590 stereo power amp, which is also great and very powerful and will drive your Maggies with ease. Either one of these amps will be a good choice for your Maggies and they retail for under $4k. I would give a serious consideration on the Parasound Halo A21. |
Here's a recently upgraded McCormack DNA-2 LAE a little over your price range. Good luck bettering this beast... https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9864f-mccormack-dna-2-lae-smc-audio-signature-edition-solid-sta... |
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Still running the Hafler, spent the last year improving my digital playback chain with great results. On my watch/listen list for possible next amp, Sanders Magtech, Hegel H20, Primare A60. Hafler has kept up with improvements but it has some edginess, and lacks the effortlessness I've heard from better amps at show demos |
I reached another point of critical mass after upgrading the DC power supply of an LTA MZ2 to an Uptone Audio JS-2 in November. While its only 1W of class A, the amplifier output puts the Hafler to shame for transparency and dynamics in a 12x12 listening room, only flags when massed orchestra pushes the MZ2 to its current limit.The Stratos ampdoes appear to be best bang for the buck so far, still considering. |
Then there is what EVS is doing now: 3000 watt power supply, 400 watts into 4 ohms.....totally tweaked to the hilt Purifi module amps.....mono blocks......$3500.....or a stereo amp with 1200 watt supply for $2500. http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Purifi_amp_mods.html You are right.....the used EVS1200 is amazing for the money. |
Looking forward to CAF in a few weeks. Never made a move on the Odyssey amps as kept reading reviews that said 300 hours of break in was needed.... hated how it took Teflon caps 6 months to break in with the Prima Luna. Still using the Hafler but the summer months really made me aware of its heat output. Considering now something like the PS Audio M700 mono's which run around $3k for 700w into 4 ohms. |
Ended up buying the Orchard Audio 150W GaN mono blocks. Loving how transparent they are, rediscovering both my analog and digital collection. Far better at driving Magnepan 1.7s then anything else I have used. The only critique I have is that they can't slam the way the Hafler DH200 did, may eventually buy the Stereo Ultra for that reason, to get larger wattage reserve |
LSA Voyager GAN 350 wpc class D amps should mate well with Magnepan 1.7s. I have a pair that is in the shop being repaired so it has never been powered by the Voyager GAN. Nevertheless, I still suspect this would be an awesome pairing. IMO a pair of subwoofers with the 1.7s is essential. I was stunned when I first hooked in a pair of subwoofers and not only did it fill on the low end but it changed my perception of the entire frequency range. Go figure.... |
@davide256, thanks for the support. |
