2. amps-preamps
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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
rooze's avatar
rooze
635 posts
 

You can pick up a Crown XLS2502 for around $400 used, $650 new. I have one here that I use to drive a pair of passive subs, I've messed with it driving fullrange speakers and it sounds surprisingly good. 

I've had 3.6Rs in a room that size and they're compromised by such a small space, but you already knew that. If you can get past the fact that you're not really hearing what they're truly capable of, then there's no reason why you can't enjoy what you're hearing.

secretguy
1,703 posts
 

Magnepans are never going to have a deep soundstage. It’s the nature of the beast. They do what they do well, but aren’t all things to all men.

LMAO! As Art Linklatter used to say....kids say the darndest things!

cdavis2260 OP
3 posts
 

I bought a NAD T175 7 channel preamplifer/tuner.to upgrade the Emotiva UMC 200 and it sounds much better. More clarity, instruments sound more defined with better, more defined sound staging.

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