I would buy an ADCOM GFA 555 amplifier..sells for 300 used.This is the kind of power maggies love.Try and match Pre amps output impedance to your Amps input.These #'s need to be 10 times apart preferably (although I have found great results with Input and output impedances that are only 7 times apart from each other). Then partner that with a Tube preamp from PrimaLuna or another hong kong made unit of your choice. Going with a Tube pre smooths out the solid state sound and will give you a more lush ,rich soulful presentation. you can find these preamps used for under $1000. Going with you own phono pre is the way to go. A used Musical surroundings for a round $300 (600 new). Stay away from the $200 or less ones they dont sound good at all. Ive had the cambridge and the phonobox S. I hope you find what you looking for musically.
Building a Magnepan System, Please Help...
Hello everyone,
I am going to be shortly building an audio system, my first high end set up ever. I have decided on Magneplanar 1.7 speakers. The reason is that everything I have read seems to indicate that they are the best deal in audiophile speakers and the sound signature appeals to me. But since I have never built a high end sound sytem before, I need some help in picking components that match up well with the Magnepan speakers.
I am on a budget here. I want to get the best quality I can for the lowest price. I will even get the Magnepan speakers used if I can find them. I would like to be up and running for somewhere in the $3000 range but I can stretch that if need be.
I have all but decided on an Emotiva amp as they seem like a good deal and others have said they match up well and have enough power to drive these speakers.
So lets start out with saying that I bought a used but good condition Magneplanar 1.7 speakers for under $1500.
Then I bought an Emotiva XPA2 for around $700.
What else do I need to have a good startin system?
I have no intention of buying a subwoofer at this time. Maybe I'll add that later.
Do I need a pre amp to pair with the XPA2? I don't know too much about high end audio. What is the precise function of a pre amp and do I need one? Please recommend one for this set up.
As for the source, I would like to get into vinyl but I will hold off on that for the present. But bear in mind that I would like to be able to incorporate a record player into this system without much trouble in the future.
Instead of purchasing a high end CD player or SACD player, I though it would make sense to get a high end DAC for a computer source like a laptop so I can store my audio on my computer.
Can you recommend a good DAC that would be not too expensive but good enough to get the most out of the rest of the components I have selected?
So far I have, Magneplanar 1.7 speakers, Emotiva XPA2, maybe a pre amp and a DAC for running digital audio from a computer source. Not counting the cables to hook everything up, this is basically what I need right?
One final question. Should I also get a power conditioner to protect my components from surges and also to "clean" the power from my home outlets? I don't want to spend this much money and have my components damaged. If I should get one, please recommend one that is inexpensive.
Thanks for the help.
I am going to be shortly building an audio system, my first high end set up ever. I have decided on Magneplanar 1.7 speakers. The reason is that everything I have read seems to indicate that they are the best deal in audiophile speakers and the sound signature appeals to me. But since I have never built a high end sound sytem before, I need some help in picking components that match up well with the Magnepan speakers.
I am on a budget here. I want to get the best quality I can for the lowest price. I will even get the Magnepan speakers used if I can find them. I would like to be up and running for somewhere in the $3000 range but I can stretch that if need be.
I have all but decided on an Emotiva amp as they seem like a good deal and others have said they match up well and have enough power to drive these speakers.
So lets start out with saying that I bought a used but good condition Magneplanar 1.7 speakers for under $1500.
Then I bought an Emotiva XPA2 for around $700.
What else do I need to have a good startin system?
I have no intention of buying a subwoofer at this time. Maybe I'll add that later.
Do I need a pre amp to pair with the XPA2? I don't know too much about high end audio. What is the precise function of a pre amp and do I need one? Please recommend one for this set up.
As for the source, I would like to get into vinyl but I will hold off on that for the present. But bear in mind that I would like to be able to incorporate a record player into this system without much trouble in the future.
Instead of purchasing a high end CD player or SACD player, I though it would make sense to get a high end DAC for a computer source like a laptop so I can store my audio on my computer.
Can you recommend a good DAC that would be not too expensive but good enough to get the most out of the rest of the components I have selected?
So far I have, Magneplanar 1.7 speakers, Emotiva XPA2, maybe a pre amp and a DAC for running digital audio from a computer source. Not counting the cables to hook everything up, this is basically what I need right?
One final question. Should I also get a power conditioner to protect my components from surges and also to "clean" the power from my home outlets? I don't want to spend this much money and have my components damaged. If I should get one, please recommend one that is inexpensive.
Thanks for the help.