2. amps-preamps
  3. 182426-123790

Budget amp that will give Magnepan 3.6Rs better depth of soundstage

I have 3.6Rs and using Emotiva UMC200 pre/proc and an Outlaw Audio 7100 in a 14 by 14 foot room. So I don't need to turn the volume up to massive levels. The amp will do 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 165 watts per channel into 4 ohms. I have been thinking of getting a separate two channel amp for the 3.6Rs. I have read that it takes lots of current to get the best soundstage with instrument placement and depth. I am getting wide soundstage and good sound, but the depth is somewhat muddied enough to not get instrument placement. I am looking for a two channel amp that will give me more of the potential of the 3.6Rs, but be able to be purchased for less that $750 used.  Is there any amp that will be worth upgrading to for that kind of money or do I need a new pre/proc as well?

cdavis2260

Showing 1 response by mlsstl

mlsstl
1,462 posts
 

That is a big set of speakers for a fairly small room! I had a pair of Maggie 1.6QRs when we moved some years ago and I tried to use them in a 14 X 15 room. They just didn't work well and I sold them.

And squareness doesn't help. My 2 cents is that your room is likely a bigger problem in terms of the placement of instrument imaging than your power amp. Not saying a better amp might not help, but probably is not the major issue. 

The post above suggesting a room analysis is a better start, IMO. The next step would be acoustic room treatment. Only then would I start worrying about changing amps.

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