2. amps-preamps
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Pass, Bryston, Audio Research, or McIntosh?

I have been auditioning speakers and think I am settled on buying Magnepans--either the 3.6 or 20.1. Wife and budget will help me decide. I currently have an Audio Research 100.2 which I like, but I expect I will need to get a beefier amp than only 100 into 8 and 200 into 4 ohms. I like buying used and have heard good things about the Pass 250 or 350 x.5. I have also read that Magnepans are often demoed with Brystons which speaks well of the combination--am looking at the sst models. I like audio research and am a bit intrigued by the hybrid HD220 as this will get me 400 wpc into 4 ohms and may provide some tube sound (a good thing for Maggies by most accounts). Lastly, I have no experience with McIntosh, but many seem to like them. Am going to stick with solid state for now. My current pre/pro is an older unit--an EAD Classic Signature which I have had modded by Noble Electronics. It is a sweet sounding dac tho it does not decode SACD or DVD audio. I may eventually go to an Audio Research tube preamp, but my budget will only allow so much for the time being. Any thoughts as to which direction I should go for amps? Room is about 17 x 23 with 10 foot ceilings and an opening along one side wall into another similar sized room.

Thanks.
luvwine

Showing 1 response by macdadtexas

macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I have 3.6R's and I have had both Mac 501's and the Pass 350 in my system, as well as many others, and those were, in my opinion and experiece, two of the least well matched amps for my Maggies. I have had Brytons's big Parasounds (JC1's) and they we both excellent.

The best amps, by far without question were in reverse order:

4) Bel Canto e1000 monoblocks

3) Spectron Musician III

2) Innersound ESL (the bigger ones would be even better I assume)

1) Cary Audio 500MB - the clear champ.

I will prob jump up to the 20.1's early next year, but I will not change amps. I my bi-amp with a Rogue Zues on the high and a Marchand tube crossover eventually, but as far as amps go for Maggies, and I have tried a bunch, these are my recommendations.

Good luck!!
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