2. amps-preamps
  3. 149186-5938

My speakers are set. Magnepan Tympani IVs

A year ago I acquired a pair of restored Tympani IVs (not IVa). I have been driving them with an Adcom  GFA - 555 that I have had for decades.  The matching pre-amp died and has been replaced with a Schiit SYS Passive pre.

The primary source was CD but has transitioned to a Bluesound Node 2 running TIDAL. I will be playing the MQAs whenever possible. My musical tastes are eclectic, with a pronounced preference for female vocalists, piano and acoustic guitar. Genres include rock of the 60s, jazz, folk, world, Celtic and classical.

The Tympanis do not suffer from the lower register issues to the same degree as some of the other Magnepans, but are still prone to occasionally overwhelming highs.  New components should tend towards the warm to mitigate this issue.

It is time to upgrade the amp.  The consensus judgement of people whom I respect and whom own these speakers are that they should be bi-amped.  Options include separate amps for highs and lows and an electronic crossover (Horizontal ?) or monoblocks (Vertical ?)   

I am only into the Tympanis for $1000, but have budgeted $2000 for amplification. One thing I have come to learn is that the traditional percentages of investment don’t always apply when Magnepans are involved as they offer such a high sound quality/cost ratio.

Cables and room treatments are on the to-do list. As always, I am here to draw upon the experience of the Audiogon community.  Please share your thoughts.  If you see something for sale here, please call it out as I am having trouble sorting through the plethora of options.
kythyn

Showing 4 responses by kythyn

kythyn OP
58 posts
 
 bdp24,

Thanks for the response. I tried to go with Satie’s approach. Bought a Crown 5002 amp, located the only servicer for Crown in south Florida and left it with him.  That was a year ago, and now he and the amp have disappeared.

What other options would you suggest for the bass panels?
kythyn OP
58 posts
 
mijostyn, if you look at my virtual system you can see my current setup and positioning.  I’d appreciate your feedback on what you see.

jssutter, I understand the hesitance about the Crowns. What other options, biamped or not would you suggest?

roberjerman, I take it that you agree with bdp24’s position that power is the primary requirement for the base panels. What would you recommend for the tweeter / midrange amplification?
kythyn OP
58 posts
 
Atmasphere, the ribbon was replaced on one side. It appears that the socks have been off all the panels, so I believe they were checked thoroughly.  What amps did your customer run?

richopp,  which ARC gear specifically would you recommend?  I have read about some of the later (and more affordable) D-300 and D400 working with later Maggie’s, but haven’t found much about them with the TIVs

Georgehifi, which class D would you suggest for the bass panels?  The JC1s are about twice my budget for a pair.  Are they enough to drive these speakers or would I still need a tube amp for the midrange/highs?
kythyn OP
58 posts
 
Georehii - thanks for all your help. I will know in the next couple days if I can stretch to a pair of the JC1s. Will hey work with my passive preamp or should I start looking for another preamp, and should it be tube or S.S.?

atmasphere - will the RM-200 handle the Tympanis IVs full range or should I plan on a class d for the bass panels?
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