The Gear to drive Mini Maggies


First, I wanted to say hello to everyone. So, I am at a point where I want to start potentially building a nice desktop speaker system. I don't have a listening room and my pc desk is inside my entertainment room which is probably medium to large in size. For mostly near field listening would the following items be overkill or would you recommend something else?

1.) Amp: Bryston 28bsst2 (1 for each speaker).
2.) Preamp: Bryston BP26
3.) DAC: Asus Essence one (already own it for headphones figured I would use the balanced out to the preamplifier if that works).
4.) Power Conditioner: Bryston BIT20 Power Conditioner.
5.) Speakers: 2 Mini Maggies
6.) Sub Woofer: Martin Logan Descent i

Now I admit I am not really good at any of this and it would be my first real audiophile set up for speakers. Do you guys think I missed anything from a sound stand point? I appreciate any help that you can provide.

Thank you,
-Jim
jkman

Showing 5 responses by yyzsantabarbara

On the other hand, Bryston and Magnapan did introduce the Mini's at some show connected to the 28B-SST2's. Overkill for sure but I don't think it would blow up the speaker.
I was considering getting these Mini's for my desktop but now I am also interested in the Audience THE ONE desktop speaker. It would be very interesting to have a comparison between the 2, both provide 30-day trials direct from the manufacturer. I am currently using an Audioengine A2's on the desktop which is passable.
I was considering getting these Mini's for my desktop but now I am also interested in the Audience THE ONE desktop speaker. It would be very interesting to have a comparison between the 2, both provide 30-day trials direct from the manufacturer. I am currently using an Audioengine A2's on the desktop which is passable.
If you were to go overboard for the amp, you should consider the Bryston 3B-SST/3B-SST2 or 4B-SST/4B-SST2 for the Mini. I think it would be a pretty good match considering the Bryston and Magnapan are supposed to play well with each other. A more realistic amp for those speakers would be something like the Wyred4Sound integrated.

You cannot go wrong (in terms of the product working) buying a used Bryston since Bryston will fix whatever ails the used amp as long as you have the original receipt for amps built around 2007+ (for older amps no receipt is needed).

The Sept 2013 issue of Stereophile has a review of the Audience The One. Another speaker that I was looking at for my home office was the KEF LS50.

I currently have the Thiel SCS4 in the living room and I will most likely just move them into my home office when I move to a new place. I have a feeling the Thiels SCS4 will sound better in the office than the other 3 office speakers I have been investigating, Audience ONE, Magnapan Mini, or KEF LS50. Currently, I have the Audioengince A2's in the office.

BTW - There were 3 28B-SST2's on sale here from 40-55% of MSRP I and so tempted to buy a pair and keep in storage until I needed them. If you are like me and tend to stick with what you like (or works) then something like the 28B-SST2 could last you a lifetime. These future big amps are for a future big speaker in a future big room.
I just bought a Parasound Halo A23 on eBay or $540. I use it to drive the KEF LS50 on my desktop. I was debating whether to get the KEF LS50, Audience ONE, or Magnapan Mini for my desktop. A friend bought the KEF to my place to try with the A23 amp. I ended up ordering a new pair of KEF's from amazon the same day (available Sept 27th). I never tried the Mini or ONE. KEF was really good.

I think the A23 should be able to drive the Mini's.