I have tried various amps and preamps with my Maggie 1.7s over the years.
I agree that high current is important as is high wattage.
I moved from 300w McIntosh to Musical Fidelity M6 500i rated 850w & 100amps (peak). Fed by a Prima Luna preamp. The sound is sublime.
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The Belles Virtuoso amplifier is an outstanding match with Magnepan speakers. The Audio Connection demos it with the the 1.7's and 3.7's if you are nearby NJ. Good Luck!
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There is really only one that I believe is a perfect match. "PASS LABS". Class "A" high current output if you can afford it, partnered with one of their spectacular preamps.
Kent English at Pass recommends their X.8 series for Magnepans.
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Musical fidelity m8xi and buy also two dwm panels from magnepan.
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There is really only one that I believe is a perfect match. "PASS LABS". Class "A" high current output if you can afford it, partnered with one of their spectacular preamps.
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Instead of buying another amp, build a new crossover for this speaker.
The stock capacitors/inductors/wiring are laughbly bad.
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+3 Bryston 4B3.
I run a tube pre and with my maggies the result is exceptional.
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A pair of Schiit Vidars in balanced mode as monoblocks is pretty phenomenal clean toroidal AB power (for under $1500).
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I recently upgraded my phono stage for a mc cartridge and chose a Hegel V10. While at the shop to give it a listen and pick it up the owner ran my TT, cartridge, and phono stage through a Hegel H20 solid state amp. I also have been looking at some other toys and auiditioned a few tube and SS amps. This Hegel is amazing. I am of the mind to sell one of my MACs to fund adding it to my stable of amps. It is $6K so falls in your price range.
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Sanders Magtech designed for hard to drive high current speakers.
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I’ve got very demanding Apogee Duetta II Signature Series full range ribbon speakers and have always been very happy with the combo of my BAT (Balanced Audio Technology) tube preamps with BAT’s solid state amps. They are built like tanks with massive transformers and a lot of quality current (essentially 2 mono blocks in the same chassis), particularly with an SE model that has the BAT pack or super BAT pack that give you a massive of amount of extra power when you need it. Even though they are solid state amps they have always been known for imparting a lot of what listeners love with the tube sound. I recommend talking to Victor Khomenko. He’s designed their gear for decades and is happy to answer all of your questions.
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I have LRSs with a Parasound A21+ and the combo is really good. If you went that route, you could get 2 and run them as monoblocks and would come in near the top of your stated budget range. Another option with plenty of current and watts and stable down to 1.5 ohms is the Parasound JC5. It has a bit more grunt than the A21+ and I think is around $6000.
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I have been driving a pair of 3.6 Maggie's with McIntosh MC501s for 15 years of magic. You need more quality watts with the current of one of the amps like Bryson, McIntosh, etc. Lots of good choices at your price point.
one thing about used McIntosh gear, it holds its value over time in case you change your mind. I could sell my MC501s for what I paid 15 years ago.
This advice is worth what you paid for it, like all the other posts. Let your ears decide if you can listen to your choice first.
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Although it’s a hybrid, I’m using a PS Audio BHK 250 with my 1.7is and it sounds wonderful. Retains the definition & tight bass of solid state while adding the warmth and complexity of tubes. Upstream I’m using a PS Direct stream & a PS BHK Preamp. Simply stunning & engaging.
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Bryston 4b sst2 here driving Maggie 1.7i. It's a wonderful combination.
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Agree with Maggie's needing some serious current and voltage. Watts per dollar. Bryston. parasound. Perhaps some older McCormick dna was a great combination. On the higher end spectral 150/180 but you need their wire and preamps.
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Bryston. Talk to the factory for factory reconditioned pieces - they pack a 5 year warrantee on top of anything remaining from the original sale.
I am currently using a 4SST for a sub and a MP woofer in the HT - and it's very, very good.
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op
as usual, scott (@verdant) provides good input
i would only say additionally that in my travels, i can confirm that maggies are one brand of speaker (atc from the uk being the other) that are seemingly modestly priced speakers, but they are truly highly engineered, exacting (and very demanding) devices that call for amplification that is both very strong/powerful and very good sounding, to bring out the best of the speaker’s ability (and driven properly, they are superb)
think higher end solid state, higher up pass, hegel, chord, and several others scott and others have mentioned - you can go for lower priced, high watt per $ ss amps, but with these speakers, you will hear the ill effects
good luck in your quest for the right one -- it is normal (and necessary) that you drive these sub 1000 dollar speakers with amps that are multiples of that cost - if you are committed to that speaker, you would be doing it right, imo
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very happy with LRS and Odyssey Cyclops Extreme SE Integrated, which I believe has same amp as Khartago Extreme SE...Odyssey can upgrade it even more if you wish...while the Pass amps and Gato Amp 150 sounded great, I felt they were wasted on the LRS...
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I would think Pass XA series... maybe used. Or Krell.
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A great amp with the most current of Any amp even at $10 k
is the coda you can get this for around $5 k
with 3 power choices, 120 short term amps on tap, none are even close
and a Huge 3000 Va. potted transformer and sounds great
even has meters ,made in the USA 10 year warranty
if you don't know Coda ,they have been around over 30 years
these are all the engineering team That worked with Nelson Pass
before he went on his own . Call Mike at Audio Archon , very informative and
very good dealer.
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I used a Parasound Halo integrated with 1.7i and it sounded fantastic have since moved to 3.7i using a Pass 250.8 which is a great combo. I sure most Pass or Parasound amps will get you there.
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I use my Thresholds on my Maggie .7's at different times with great success. Models are SA/3, SA/4e, S500 II and S350e. Smaller room.
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I have had 3.7s and now 20.7s, I moved from Pass X350.5 on the 3.7s to Bryston 7BSST2 and was very happy. Now have Bryston 28BSST2 and am very happy with them on the 20.7s. The newer Pass models might be even better, but you can buy used Bryston and still have a much longer warranty than Pass
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In another forum Jim Smith wrote:
2 - "Having worked at Magnepan, I still have some friends there. I know for a fact that some folks at Magnepan think that this X series - including the 260.8 & 350.8 - may be the best sounding amps that they have heard with their speakers. Of course, ymmv - but I doubt it."
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Sanders Magtech
Pass Labs XA60.5 (smaller room)
Pass Labs XA100.5
Anthem Amp2SE (if you could find one)
Also, Magnepan never made a 3.4 model. I was a Magnepan dealer for many, many years.
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I'd strongly consider McIntosh there are new and used options at your budget.
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Having owned Maggie 3.4Rs, I think you will be blown away with a LSA Voyager 350 GaN amp. Available now for ~ $2500 stock or modified by LSA for $500 more, including a real nice power cord
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I can think of four very good options that I think will give you great performance:
Bryston. It is a brilliant match with Maggies and for a long time has been at the top of everyones list to pair with these speakers. It is definitely worth considering. Not sure bets Model
Chord Ultima 6 - This amp is going to be tonally similar to Bryston but with monster power reserved and runs cool. I think it is Class G or H as it has switching rails. List is a little high at $9.2K but is worth stretching for. The eTude at $5.8K has less power using the same tech.
Hegel H20 - A bit warmer than the Chord or Bryston but as clean and clear as them. This lists for $6K
These three will all deliver a big, clear and engaging sound. but it will lose a touch of the tubiness that you get with your Primaluna.
The AVM MA30.3 monos (half width units) use MOSFETs in th output stage and have a softer sound to them than the other amps listed here. There list for $5.3K.
I am a dealer for Chord, Hegel and AVM. I have no relationship with Bryston. I do have this exact model of AVM availabe for demo in-home.
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