Upgrading my integrated amplifier for my Magnepan 1.7’s


I currently have Peachtree GaN400 and preDAC which, quite honestly pairs pretty well with my Maggie’s. I’m 72 and have some money to burn so I’m currently looking at two Integrated amplifiers. One is the Hegel B600 and the other the Macintosh, MA 9500. My assumption is the refined power of either of these amps will take my listening to a higher level.

I intend to give a listen at local stereo store that sells both brands but in the meantime, I’m curious if any readers have experience with either one of these amps and Magnepan speakers.

baconboy

Showing 2 responses by baconboy

Thanks for everyone’s thoughtful responses. Crustycoot and Secretguy, that’s an idea that’s been rattling around in my brain (upgrading my Maggie’s) and would be less expensive than a new amp. 
Here’s where my ignorance shows however. I remember back in the ‘60s going into a stereo store like Lafayettes chain on the east coast, they were selling stereo receivers with outrageous ‘watts per channel’ numbers. Turns out the term ‘ihf’ allowed them to crank up power claims at the expense of sound quality. Once ‘rms’ became the standard measurement it became easier to compare. 
Can  I assume that my Peachtree GaN 400 watts per channel is comparable if not superior to the 300 watts per channel, for instance, offered in the Macintosh MA9500?
 

 

Thanks again for everyone's comments and suggestions. At this point I'm preparing to go to the store for a comparison listen and have narrowed it down to three integrated amplifiers. There's Mcintosh's MA9500,  Hegel's H400, and Bryston's Bi200.

I should also offer a caveat about my choices in that the 'look' of the device is important to me. I have no love for the Mac's retro look-- but it's a MAC! In fact if the Mac had the look of a Yamaha or Technics I'd push the button right now. The look of the Hegel and Bryston I'm cool with.