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New to seperates...need suggestions

Current equiptment: Denon avr 2800, integra dvd, polk bookshelf, velodyne sub. Trying to integrate ht with music and want to upgrade to a power amp. Am currently looking at Citation 7.1, monarchy audio se 100, belles 150a, Mccormack dna .5 with revision a upgrade, and ati 1502. Large price difference from Citaion @950.00, monarchy @825 new and 699 minor blem with 30 day warranty, no price on Mccormack yet(expect >$1000), to the ati @530. Ht sounds fine but music is flat with muddied detail. Want to have a sense of feel and airyness that is lacking. At lower volume all dynamics are lost. No seperation or soundstage. Will eventually upgrade speakers but for now would like to get all I can from current speakers and have what I need to drive future upgrades. Thinking about Maggie mmg and Saphire III le. Any thought on these amps concerning what I am hoping to achieve? Have read the reviews but no way to demo locally so am hoping to get insight from more experienced.
Thanks
Steve
scoly

Showing 2 responses by docwarnock

docwarnock
63 posts
 
Sorry to follow on, but the dealer's advice that an amp would make a bigger difference than choice of speaker ... well I hope that you were wearing hip waders. That has never been my personal experience, nor have I heard anyone make that claim, at least with a straight face. Maybe someone here will make a liar out of me.
docwarnock
63 posts
 
Scoly, there are lots of people who love the B&W's, but I had the same experience that you did. They just didn't do it for me. Maggies on the other hand, well I just can't be objective about them because I love them so much. The nicest thing about the MMGs is the in-home trial period.

However, I think that given your current amplification, you won't get the maximum out of the Maggies either. The above advice to ugrade via used separates is good advice, just remember that there is no such thing as too much power when it comes to driving Maggies. You'll be floored at how good they sound matched up with quality electronics and adequate power.
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