Maggie 3.6 amplification concern

I started out with Maggies with one of the first Timpani 1U, later I went to the Timpani 1D and now the 3.6/R. I have used Bryston 4BST & 14BST as single amps driving the pair. But the best sound has been attained with two amplifiers with an electronic crossover. The sound really opens up with two amps. I have used Anthem MCA 2s and now have two McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe amps with the Bryston 10BLR crossover. Dynamics are "real" and the attacks are crisp/fast and there is no distortion/clipping. The cost for this setup on the AudiogoN used market is very reasonable. The single amp arrangement using the Maggie crossover was never satisfying to me, even with the Bryston 14BST. There are, of course, many other variables such as ICs, speaker cables, front end, etc. but to answer your request, I strongly recommend biamping to get the best sound from the 3.6/Rs.

Why not try using a s.s amp for the bass, and use tubes on the ribbon tweeter. The speaker has both inputs already in place. I also have 3.6 and wilson speakers, I think a ARC 200 is sufficeint and should work well with balanced cables. Have you tried a ARC 200, it will definitely get you over 105 db by it self.

I tend to agree with the fact that Maggies need juice. I'm running my 3.6's with a pair of Bryston 7B-ST's which put out around 850W each. Prior to adding a pair of Vandersteen 2Wq subs, I could get the Bryston clip indicator LED's to flicker during bass-heavy passages. So yes, they need a lot of power.

Just curious, has anyone used the Bel Canto or PS Audio amps with Maggies?

I run my 3.6's with an active x-over. Cary SLA 70 Sig (35 watts class A tube) for the top and a Classe CA-400 (800 watts @ 4 ohms SS) for the bottom. You do need power (current?) to really get good bass. The Cary could drive the entire speaker, but the bass did suffer. There are a lot of posts on this topic on the Asylum Planar forum.