What you need to do is grab an amp from Class D Audio to drive them until you can detetmine what you need. You can get one for $600-$700, or so, which will drive them very well, until you complete your search.
I’m using the SDS 370 which drives my new LRS+ about as well as they can be driven - and the sound is sublime - in all respects. And it only cost me $700 - new! It has all the power you need. And will let you enjoy them at their best until you decide what to do.
Classdaudio.com
Or - just go directly to the Sanders Magtech!
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Orchard Audio StarKrimson Ultra. Leo builds his own proprietary modules. I'm using them on full range Acoustat 3 Medallion. They've never sounded so good. First time in 40 years I feel there's enough power.
Orchard Audio is running an amp tour. You get to listen free for a week and just ship them to thd next person on the list. Then write a small review. More info on their website. Also check out the Absolute Sound YouTube channel. Tom gushes about using this amp with his Maggie's.
Thanks,
aldnorab
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For get it with hegel 250w to run the 3.7.
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The Hegel 250w rms seems to be a good match for me. Never runs out of power due to a high damping factor. Paired with a Velodyne 12" sealed box sub. You do need a sub for blues, reggae etc.
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PS audio M700 drives my 1.7i like a champ. Sounds great too. Dead quiet and more power than I’ll ever need. Never fatiguing. Tons of detail not too warm or too cool…just right (for me). Imagining and soundstage are all I could ask for in my room. I’ve had Maggies in one iteration or another for he past 30 yrs and I’ve have never heard them sound better. M1200 might be even better for 3.7i.
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Johnto, there it go's wrong with the term deep. Are you listen to instruments or frequentie.
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I use Bryston SST in the home theatre to drive an all-Magnepan (except centre) system. Sounds VERY good. So does the 4B SST which drives the isobaric sub.
I also use B3 in the listening room to drive DWM’s - it may be overkill, but the sound is just wonderful!
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You can’t go wrong with Pass. I using a 250.8 with my 3.7i magnificent sound. This pairing won a best of show about 5 years ago. You should be able to find one gently used and a good pre in your price range.
I’m using 2 subs with my Maggie’s without a problem. DWM are not subs and won’t go deep like a sub.
Enjoy
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The magnepan has the most instrumental low no pump low.
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Never but never use subwoofers with magnepan only the dwm panels from magnepan . You must use a power amp like krell the ksa 250, cello duet,viola thats kind of stuff. Never tubes!!
I use the fast KEF KC62 sub with my LRS+. I think I cut over at 50 Hz. My friend who is a musician, recording engineer, and a golden ears heard my office system and said 2 things.
- Why would you use anything but the LRS+ in a small room like mine. Other speakers who be a waste due to the room size.
- The sub integration with the LRS+ and KC62 was seamless.
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I was running Brystons on my 3.7i. Switched to PS Audio M1200 and haven't missed the Brystons the least bit. More than enough power and yes - the M1200's are class D (hybrid). I used PS Audio M700's for about a year, but the upgrade bug bit me. The M700's had no problem running the 3.7i speakers - but when the bug bites....
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With my LRS+ in my bedroom home theater system, I notice that even during pure dialogue scenes (and using a 35 hz crossover) the sound changes slightly when I turn on the sub.
I imagine some may prefer this but I can’t help but feel that the purity of the Maggies has been impacted.
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Never but never use subwoofers with magnepan only the dwm panels from magnepan . You must use a power amp like krell the ksa 250, cello duet,viola thats kind of stuff. Never tubes!!
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I am using the PS Audio BHK 300 monoblocks with my 20.7s and also used them with my 3.7s. Used price should be around $6500. They are fantastic.
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Perhaps a s/h Pass Labs X250.8 might fit the budget. I happen to use Pass Labs X260.8 monoblocks with my 3.7i’s and they are great, but I have trialled the X250.8 and it was very good as well
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+1 on the rels. I added t7s with my diptyque ribbon speakers and they really came alive.
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Also, I'm using a pair of rel t5's that work well with the Maggies.
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@jazz99 I have been using a Bryston 4bsst2 for several years on my 1.7's. I understand that the load is pretty much the same as the 3.7's. Magnepan used the Brystons at audio shows. I think the DragoN would work well,
If you do a forum search for magnepan amp, you will be rewarded with many threads to read.
i
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Thank you all for your advice. My budget for amp and preamp is around $10k. I'm thinking separates rather than integrated amp, perhaps Rogue Dragon monoblocks and Rogue RP-5v2. But I am open to other combinations. The Pass Labs XA 25 seems underpowered, but i'm hoping to get two REL subwoofers to go with the Maggies. Any further recommendations welcome. Thank you!
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Unrelated to the amps.
I took out my 2 acoustic absorption panels in my small office where the first reflection happens. With all other speakers these panels are needed (otherwise fatigue). However, I am finding that with the LRS+ the panels are not needed, and the sound opens up even more without them.
I had read about removing the panels elsewhere on the web and I am now a believer. I do use panels behind the LRS+ and also where my desk resides (in a closet). The LRS+ is the very best speaker I have heard in a small room. So easy to place.
It has got me thinking of getting a bigger Maggie for the Livingroom, to rotate with the NS5000.
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@jazz99 I have a bit of a different solution for you. I have an old pair of Acoustat 1+1 that had real problems with modern class D, and variations of it, due to the low 0.5 Ohm dip in the upper treble. Even though I could not hear where the issue occurred I could hear the result due to clipping (Schiit Tyr, PS Audio M700 and others). I tried the Coda #8, but did not like the result, although there was no clipping. I ended up with the Pass Labs XA 25. I was concerned that the power might not be enough, but since I use an active crossover (SPL Crossover from Germany -- similar to the JL CR1) with dual powered subwoofers, the XA 25 ended up being a tremendous match.
If you get a chance give the XA 25 a trial run.
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You haven't mentioned your budget but I have found the Cary Audio SLI 100 to be a fantastic combo with the Magnepans.
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I also recommend the Sanders Magtech, it’s done wonderfully well driving my Martin Logan ESL’s and as the name implies, Magtech was built to drive Maggies.
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Van Alstine should fit the bill!
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BTW, I also have an older Ed Sanders amp - the TNT 250 from the days when Ed ran Acoustat. I bought it and the Perreaux to drive tough speaker loads.
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My Perreaux 2150B can easily drive any Maggie to very loud levels - 340/680/920wpc@8/4/2 ohms! There is one now available on eBay for $590 + shipping.
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The Sanders Magtech is what I use on my LRS+ and it is the best Class AB amp I I have owned. However, I will use the caveat that it is the best Class AB on the LRS+. On my other speaker, the Yamaha NS5000, the Sanders is not that special. I spoke with Roger Sanders on this amp, and he said it was initially designed for Magnepans (Mag + Tech). I bought it used from Roger for $4k with 1 year warranty.
Another amp that is a bit better on the LRS+, more bass and sweetness, is the CODA #16. I use the Magtech on the LRS+ because it is almost as good as the CODA.
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Play it safe while getting the very best out of your Maggie 3.7i speakers by finding the most current and most powerful pair of Bryston Audio monoblocks that you can afford (pre-owned), and thank me later. Happy listening.
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