2. home-theater
  3. 1217520706

Budget AV Receiver with Magnepan

I'm looking to build a 5 channel home theater/music system using Magnepan MMG-W's and CC2 (or possibly MC1's for FR and FL) with a Monitor Audio sub. Now I'm looking at inexpensive used high end AV receivers to tie it all together:

Rotel - 1055 75x5

NAD - T744 (can be had refurbished with warranty) 5x50W, not sure if this is enough to drive the Magnepans?

NAD - T754, a bit more power, can be had with warranty

B&K AVR 202 - 105 x 5, I've heard one of these and liked it, it's a bit older than the rest

Cambridge Audio 540R - 80 x 6, nice looking unit but haven't heard much about them compared to NAD/Rotel/B&K

And advice/experience on any of these would be greatly appreciated. I'm happy with 5 channel DTS, don't need HDMI (although would be nice), want something that can drive the small Maggies without struggling (don't need ground shaking volume here), and I want something that sounds *good*. I'm coming from a small Denon 75w x 5 Dobly Digital surround receiver (driving Monitor Audio Silver 5i's). I know seperates are better, but I'm trying to keep the wife happy ($$$). Thanks!

Brad
bfrank1972

Showing 1 response by chadnliz

chadnliz's avatar
chadnliz
3,737 posts
 
Those are not as tough to drive as some suggest and here is why, they roll off at 100hz so add a sub and you can get away nicely with it. I powered them wall mounts with a 60w Rotel 6 channel amp driving all channels and never had a lick of trouble. I listen loud with movies too.
Is more power better? Always but I see alot of people cpeculating on what will work and what wont, just adding my real world experience and assuring you it can and has been done................and amp wasnt cookin eggs lol.
More to discover