2. amps-preamps
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Please help a rookie –used amps for magnepan 3.7?

This is my first post on any kind of audio forum, so I apologize in advance for my ignorance if I’m violating any convention/etiquette etc. I love music, but confessed to being overwhelmed regarding all the technical development since the days of tubes.

I am planning to buy some Magnepan 3.7 speakers. I don’t think I can afford to buy the ideal amplifier for my system right now, and would very much appreciate any advice or suggestions about what sort of used amplifier set up would be the best compromise between cost and sound quality for the near term.

I use both digital and analog sources and have Audio Research LS17SE tube pre amp and Bryston DAC and 8 year-old Rotel RB 980 BX amplifiler, which I believe is rated at 125 W. This set up has worked well with my current Vandersteen II ce speakers.

My local audio dealer told me that for the maggies I should get an amp with at least 200 W of power and suggested an Audio Research DS 225, which I could buy used for $3,900. This is a bit more than I would like to spend, however if the consensus of the group is this is the best option I could start saving towards this.

Alternatively, I was wondering if there might be a slightly less expensive amplifier suggestion somewhere closer to $2,500? (I might be able slip that one as my wife with minimal angst).

I’ve always been interested in the idea of separate mono block amplifiers. From my admittedly uninformed perspective, the logic of separate amps, potentially located closer to the speakers seem reasonable, however I have no idea if that’s accurate or even an option I should consider. Maybe I should consider getting another Rotel RB 980 like the one I have now, which I think should be fairly inexpensively – does that make sense?

I very much appreciate any and all advice and suggestions from the knowledgeable members of this community.

Thanks, Mike
mallen1010
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I guess you decided on tube amps again.  Not sure the best for Magggies but you need a lot of juice.  Did you consider the Sanders  amps made for just these kind of speakers. Price may be prohibitive, perhaps buy used?? If still made.?
 Aside from Rogue not sure who else makes an affordable big tube power amp.  Also some are hybrid class D make sure you like it.
larryrs
132 posts
 
I have used the Bryston 4B SST2 with the Magnepan 3.7i's, driven by the balanced outputs of the LS17SE, and the combination was extremely good in my estimation.  The Parasound Halo A21 also works very well with the 3.7i's.  Either the Bryston or the Parasound have enough power to drive either the 3.7's or 1.7's well.

LarryRS
timber77
39 posts
 
I have a pair of Odyssey Stratos mono amplifiers and have had the 3.7s. in my system for about 6 months.   If your happy with an old Rotel on your vandersteins then you will be knocked out by the Odyssey/ Maggie combo.   Easy to bias ampliers that are hard to beat on a price per watt basis.     I also have a pair of 1980s Spectron (high end tubeamplifiers )that to me are a prefect match, so I see where some suggest tubes, but really you need top notch tube amps to really make the maggies sing.  You can't go wrong with Bryston maggie combo. The parasound would probably be a good value priced way  run them.    I am not a fan of most AR gear and would probably think about selling your pre amp,  then going with a SS amp with a real nice tube pre, but thats just my 2 cents.  On the subject of Class D, its great tech for car sub woofers.
limniscate
241 posts
 
I had an early version of the Odyssey Kismet monos, and the Sanders Magtech crushed them on my 3.7i's. The Magtech can be had for below $3000 now. 
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