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Peachtree and Magnepan = No Bueno

Greetings all. A while ago I tried my Magnepan 1.7i with a Peachtree Nova 150 and found it to be a terrible combination sounding very thin, dull, quiet and having the imaging completely collapse. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this with a Peachtree/Magnepan combination and if Peachtree might be fudging some of their power output numbers or if it is a low current amp. Any ideas? Thanks!

The amp I normally use to power the 1.7i Maggies is a McIntosh MC275. I also tried the Peachtree with my Maggie MMGs and while it wasn’t a terrific combo it sounded much better than with the 1.7i. 
128x128flashhog
10 responses Add your response
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
Never owned either the Peachtree or the 1.7.

That said, I have owned Maggies before (1.6 and 3.5R) and I would be confident to say that Peachtree amps don't have the balls to drive Magnepans.

Oz



jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
hegel

thanks me later

search youtube on hegel amps and magnepans, the folks at audio excellence outside toronto have very informative videos out on the subject - unlike other clowns on YT these guys properly audition, have a lot of experience, no bs

(no affiliation, just a happy owner)
joey54
434 posts
 
Check out these reviews of the Peachtree Nova 220SE using Magnepan 3.7's and 1.6's.

https://www.tonepublications.com/review/peachtree-nova220se-integrated-amplifier/

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/peachtree-audio-nova-220se-integrated-amplifierdacheadphone...
flashhog's avatar
flashhog OP
8 posts
 
@joey54  Thanks for the articles, it seems the Nova 150 might need a little more oomph to push Maggies. However, I found it drove my Wharfedale towers effortlessly making them produce the cleanest and most authoritative bass I've heard yet from them. Cheers.
flashhog's avatar
flashhog OP
8 posts
 
@ozzy62  Looks that way, thanks for the response. I wondering, with your Maggies what amplification did you use? Thanks.
flashhog's avatar
flashhog OP
8 posts
 
@jjss49 Thanks for the suggestion, I've heard buzz about Hegel but have not read up on them. I'll take a look at the Audio Excellence guys on YouTube and see what they have to say. 
hleeid
219 posts
 
Agree 100% with jjss49 - I drive my maggies with a Hegel H190.  Other SS amps were ok. 
My Ampzilla 2000 2nd Edition 300wpc monoblocks with a Bryston BP26 preamp do a better job but cost a lot more.

The H190 does a great job driving my Harbeth SHL5+40s as well.

Definitely worth your while to demo if possible.

Good luck in your search! 
geof3
1,129 posts
 
I don’t have Maggie’s, but I do have a Hegel H-390. Kicks a$$! To the Peachtree, they are excellent int’s, but the 150 just doesn’t have the grunt... 
joey54
434 posts
 
BTW, the best amplifier I have heard with the Magnepan 3.7i's is the Belles Virtuoso. Amazing sound that bested the Bryston my dealer was using originally.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
@ozzy62  Looks that way, thanks for the response. I wondering, with your Maggies what amplification did you use? Thanks.

With the 3.5s I used McCormack DNA-1 deluxe monoblocks.

And believe it or not, with the 1.6s I used a Music Reference RM9. Now that's a tube amp with balls.

Oz


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