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Tweaking the Magnepan 1.7s

Looking to tap the Audiogon crowd to come up with inexpensive tweaks for my new Magnepan 1.7s. Here is what is planned so far:

Have room treatments. I am a bigger fan of sound absorption than sound dispursement. I have four 2' x 4' x 2" sound absorption panels that sit on each side of my stereo shelving unit between my speakers. Does a great job of removing the reflections off of my electronics.

Having Magnepans for 30+ years, I do like to deaden the front wall behind the speakers a little bit. From hanging an oriental rug to curtains or whatever. Will be trying out some of these ideas with my new location.

Mye stands. I am waiting for my bank account to grow a bit before I go for these. I believe Mye has the new updates for the 1.7s (although, I can't see any difference between the 1.7s and my old 1.6s).

I want to bypass the fuse and that stupid metal jumper with the least disruption of the speaker itself. Anyone remove the back panel and replace with better speaker connects? If so, what do you recommend? How about wiring tips - anything I should be know before I start the project?

Debating on using a 1 ohm resistor to tame the high end. Any suggestions for high quality 1 ohm resistors?

Anything I am missing?

Sound notes: full description of my experience with Magnepan 1.7s and the electronics I am using in other Audiogon threads, just search for ronwills.
ronwills

Showing 9 responses by utley1

utley1
44 posts
 
Ron - Crom- & Audio
May I ask what you are driving your speakers with?
THANKS
utley1
44 posts
 
They are very different animals. Even with out putting them side by side you can hear it. Sometimes they feel sharply focused- other times all over the place because of the crossing points. I thought them slightly clearer. A friend had them. I find the 1.7's more pleasureable when listhening for long periods of time and a little bit closer to the old Martin Logan Clz 1 (1987)(which I once owned) in making a balanced sound. If you have the 1'6's they are great. And the 1.7's are much harderto tweak if that is your thing. But people seem to be giving them away?
utley1
44 posts
 
Thanks Crom....Doing a little gig of my own with stands. Bought a dozen 4 pound 100% pure zinc ingots took them to a metal workshop, had them bore a3/4" inch wedge to fit the Mag stands. I call them Maggie's slippers. Cost less than a $100 to do. Wouldn't compare it to the MYE but those 'slipper' stands a rock solid and I think they make a plausible improvement in sound. but that is subjective. That is 16 pounds to speakers stands plus an additional 8 pounds of bracing at the joint.
utley1
44 posts
 
Crom: May I ask if you can get to the 'near bottom octaves' of an organ with that amp?
utley1
44 posts
 
Ron- Many thanks....will try to find a dealer in NYC..
utley1
44 posts
 
I have had these remarkable speakers a month now.They have quite mellowed out. The dynamics depth and speed astonish me with certain recordings. (and I am using 1980's equipment Crown) You do not have drive yourself crazy. They really are as good as the Absolute Sound review declares. I will be buying a new amp and pre-amp but even that is not a neccessity. Moving the tweeters in or out simply reveals different things about the recordings one is listening to. Each view is valid. These speakers have made very happy and brings joy every day. There is just so much great music.
utley1
44 posts
 
Do not take for a reading teacher. But the Mag 1.7 manual does notspecifically recommend one tweeter position(in or out) or the other. It does recommend ' tweeter out' on the 1.6's. I have read the print vesion that accompanies the 1.7 and the on line manual which are exactly the same. I have found that leaving the tweether 'out' fit the geometry of my room. I suspect the magnetic side is smoother but will not risk tripping on the wires and the frontal 'normal view ' gives visual pleasure.
utley1
44 posts
 
Crom Thanks. That pink sheet was not inside the plastic bag or stapled to it that contained: plates screws fuses etc. Now I do not feel so delusional but now slightly paranoid as the alumum frames(sties) on the tweeter sides were raised above the horizonal. The speakers perform beautifully but I am sick about it. They were probably repackaged now that the pink slip is missing, But there is nothing to be done...am upset as it confirms my suspicions and spent an anxious two weeks listening for defects. . They were offered to me with only a one month wait. Oh man - this is a downer
utley1
44 posts
 
A dealer return sold as new....The shipping box was really beat up . Did contact Magnepan. In Minn. They would not comment but told me to correct the the sties which were mis-alligned and could not have been shipped that way. It hurts but they are wonderful instruments. My electrostatics (which had built in amps)gave out and the repair process in NYC was a night mare. Did not listen to muic for a year so when the the opportunity came up I jumped at the 1.7's. I am not sorry, they are wonderful and I know the Magnepan will stand behind them.BUT THEY WERE NOT NEW At least two weeks in limbo as I had Magnepan check the serial numbers. Sorry for the wHining. Too many pirates out there. Feel like a character in GRAVITY'S RAINBOW- all paranoia is justified.
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