I love EL34 tube amps and always have. From my first Marantz 8 back in 1975. I had always enjoyed Maggies when I listened to them at dealers, but had never considered owning them because 2xEL34 amps are around 40 wpc.
Around 5 years ago, I purchased a Primaluna amp, the HP version. I paid around 4K for it, lightly used. It has 4xEL34 per channel for around 80wpc. You can roll the tubes, and I have tried others (6550) which increase it to about 120wpc, but don’t sound as good (in my opinion/taste/system) as the EL34s.
when Magnepan came out with the LRS two years ago, I thought I could try Maggies at home for almost no risk. They are so inexpensive, I could just sell them off if I did not like them, or if I did not have enough power to make them sound good. I did feel funny having such a low cost speaker in my $25k system, with my interconnects costing more than the Speakers.
I had several talks with the guys at Magnepan before placing the order. Bottom line was that they said the Primaluna HP was plenty to drive the LRS. Apparently, the size of the power supply is important to be sure the amp has enough “balls” to drive the Maggies, and the Primaluna does.
So two years later, I still absolutely love the Maggies, and the Primaluna HP are more than enough to drive them. I get them louder than I can stand, so volume and dynamics are not limited by the amp. But I am not a bass freak. And don’t listen to bass heavy music. Perhaps that might influence my thoughts.
While I only discussed the LRS, I have trouble believing the 1.7i are dramatically different, but don’t know for sure. Might be worth it for you to all the guys in Minnesota and ask them. I thought they were frank and knowledgeable.
I have thought about upgrading my LRS for the bigger of the small Maggies, but I am so happy with my Primaluna HP / LRS combo that I don’t have any incentive to change.
hope my experience was helpful to you.
Around 5 years ago, I purchased a Primaluna amp, the HP version. I paid around 4K for it, lightly used. It has 4xEL34 per channel for around 80wpc. You can roll the tubes, and I have tried others (6550) which increase it to about 120wpc, but don’t sound as good (in my opinion/taste/system) as the EL34s.
when Magnepan came out with the LRS two years ago, I thought I could try Maggies at home for almost no risk. They are so inexpensive, I could just sell them off if I did not like them, or if I did not have enough power to make them sound good. I did feel funny having such a low cost speaker in my $25k system, with my interconnects costing more than the Speakers.
I had several talks with the guys at Magnepan before placing the order. Bottom line was that they said the Primaluna HP was plenty to drive the LRS. Apparently, the size of the power supply is important to be sure the amp has enough “balls” to drive the Maggies, and the Primaluna does.
So two years later, I still absolutely love the Maggies, and the Primaluna HP are more than enough to drive them. I get them louder than I can stand, so volume and dynamics are not limited by the amp. But I am not a bass freak. And don’t listen to bass heavy music. Perhaps that might influence my thoughts.
While I only discussed the LRS, I have trouble believing the 1.7i are dramatically different, but don’t know for sure. Might be worth it for you to all the guys in Minnesota and ask them. I thought they were frank and knowledgeable.
I have thought about upgrading my LRS for the bigger of the small Maggies, but I am so happy with my Primaluna HP / LRS combo that I don’t have any incentive to change.
hope my experience was helpful to you.