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Power Amp for Magnepan MG 20.1's

I recently purchased a used pair of Magnepan MG 20.1's and I am looking to add a power amp to drive them that will cost under $2,000 either new or used.

I use my 20.1's as part of my home theater set up which includes the Magnepan CC2 center channel speaker, Magnepan MG MC1's for the surround speakers and an active powered subwoofer. I watch Blu-Ray and DVD video discs and also listen to music SACD, DTS, DVD-Audio, Dual-Disc and CD's in both 2-channel and 5.1 channel formats.

I'm looking for a power amp that will allow me to bi-amp the 20.1's in addition to powering the center channel as well as the left and right surround channels so I will need an 7-channel power amp.

I am using an Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player which plays all of the disc formats that I named above including the 5.1 material so I need to integrate a 7-channel power amp with my current A/V receiver so that the receiver can continue to decode the high-definition audio being received via the HDMI output from the Oppo BDP-93 player such as Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Can anyone recommend a high quality 7-channel power amp that will fit my needs that will allow me to continue to play all of the audio and video formats I mentioned and bi-amp the 20.1s all for under $2,000?
southernphoenix

Showing 2 responses by magfan

magfan
1,583 posts
 
No way to get 7x1000 out of an amp on a single powerline connection.
Any channel 'one-at-a-time' will meet spec, but not all channels driven.
The hi-efficiency rating of ICE modules is only at full power. Efficiency drops from that peak as output drops.

You should get a power meter like the Kill-a-Watt and watch your line voltage sag when you crank it up.

Outlaw makes a nice mono amp which when buying 7 of 'em comes in under budget.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html

Outlaw also makes a 7 channel monster for just a few bucks more.

part of your improvement plan should include at least a PAIR of new 20 amp lines for just amps.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Given your (now) disclosed playing habits of no excess loudness, the outlaw monos make even more sense......and take the extra cash and invest in a bank of outlets exclusively for the amps.

I, too, am not an overloud listener. That being said, I have ICE power to my 1.6 panels and rarely tap it heavily. At about 500x2, I don't suppose I use more than 1/10 of that 'continuous' even when playing loudly.

I can't think (offhand) of ANY AV receiver capable of driving the 20.1s Not to say that one doesn't exist.....an old Sunfire?
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