Long time magnepan owner. Using the MZ2 as an amp sounds great about 95% of the time, exceptions are loud massed orchestra/percussion, deepest bass where more current is needed. Pretty certain that while the Hafler has over 100 watts per channel, the transition from class A to class B adds distortion I hear as grainy harmonics with massed orchestra.
Which amp to use with Linear Tube Audio pre?
I really love my LTA Microzotl 2. Its bit clunky in a NAD 3020 sort of way but the sound always pleases.
I'd like to pair it with an amplifier that doesn't step on what it does, have used it with a Prima Luna Premium amp section and Musical concepts modded Hafler, both subtracted from what I can hear using it as a 1w amplifier direct. Am tempted to go for a Pass XA25 in my 12x12 listening room as that has good reviews driving Magnepan whereas the LTA amp sections do not.
Wondering if LTA pre owners have other recommendations?
Showing 9 responses by davide256
Anyone using Class D with their LTA pre product? Skeptical about class D but I keep seeing posts by Magnepan owners happy with the newer class D amplifiers. The Hafler I have puts out about 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, the more power argument pushes in the direction of a 400 watt amplifier in order to make a significant transient reserve difference. @dekay The AVA DVA M225's look interesting. If I could verify that they stay in class A at 4 ohms up to 50 watts that would on paper rival the Pass XA25 plus have more reserve power. |
@cat_doorman what I hear using MZ2 straight in is a less compressed sound, the ambiance and little sound cues that persuade of a lifelike reproduction. yeah sustained bass gets muddy and loud treble transients can clip but thats 10% if the time vs the other 90% that sounds more life like. |
@cat_doorman thanks for mentioning the Aegir. At $800 its worth trying as an inexpensive test to see if a low wattage class A amp would work. |
Aegir was interesting, very warm and full sound. But sounded syrupy and compressed compare to using the MZ2 as amp, definitely stepped on details the MZ2 was providing and could be tripped into protect with loud orchestra. Decided against a small class A amp, will start saving for the DVA 225s + active RCA to XLR adaptor |
mmm, the Orchard Audio GaN monoblocks are working very nicely with my Magnepans. But the law of unintended consequences has kicked in. My MZ2 used as pre isn't as clean and clear with the GaN monoblocks as a simple passive Schiit SYS pre. So its relegated back to a headphone amplifier only for the moment |
@b2colchagoff I ended up buying a solid stateTopping Pre90, took me several months to reach a conclusion which I liked better between the MZ2 and the Pre90. The MZ2 has that tube ease in playing music, is neutral and faster on transients than the CJ PV10a, Prima Luna Integrated Premium pre tube sections I have had. But in the end it lost out to the Pre90 for background detail, dynamics and solid, clean low bass. It's possible that If I had the better MZ3 or LTA's bespoke preamp that the outcome may have differed On the wattage end, using the Orchard Audio GAN monoblocks is a no contest compared to what I've owned in the past used with Maganepan 1.7 (Bryston B60, Prima Luna Premium, Musical Concepts modded Hafler DH200). It controls the speaker, and has no need to play loudly to get clarity. I do think that there are better class D options like Boxem and Apollon which are more sophisticated in their input section, may eventually switch. The 1 watt from the MZ2 as amp is musical but with Maggies you are giving up base and the reviews I've read for LTA amp sections usually highlight that as a criticism for driving Magnepans.
I do think that the MZ2 cries out to be used as an integrated amp with high effciency speakers like Zu, Omega Alnico, where 1 watt can be powerful |