Magnepan 1.7

I'm personally not big on Mac / Magnepan. In all the postings I've read, very few will claim that pairing. Not to say it won't work or be very pleasing. The few that have voted 'yes' have been good with the combo.

Krell? I only heard this combo once...on some 3.6s with the 400xi. It actually wasn't bad, but the heat produced was awesome. Because of the limits of my setup, no Krell for me.

If someone were to give me my 'wish'? Well, 2 of the short-list amps for Maggies would be either Bryston.....or Pass.

Another group of persons exists who loves 'd' amps with panels. I have a PSAudio integrated. Runs cool and has plenty of power. Some of the 'd' guys like the BelCanto line or even Spectron.

My 1.6s are turned backwards which is why I suggested some ...adjustments...to your panels before just getting 'more'.

Try this on for size. I'm in woodshop right now and will eventually do something like THIS:

http://www.indiespinzone.com/mag/mag9.html

Magfan,

Good luck on the frames. It sounds like a project to which you are looking forward.

The Krell is still impressing me and I seem to have forgotten about the Mac sound because there is so much more to hear with the Krell.

I played an old Nitty Gritty Dirt Band "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" CD and heard things I had not heard before. The Krell helps the Maggies to differentiate the instruments so you can hear them better. More timbre and tone as well.

I own the 1.6 model . I recently purchased the 1.7 model. I have to say i did not like the new model better .returned for a refund . The soundsatage is smaller. The base is awkward ,Like it is coming from a small area in the sounstage.Dynamics were dulled .Very dissapointed . 3.6 are on my list for a upgrade.

Listened to 1.7s and bought 1.6. I could not tell any real difference other than a smidge better base in the 1.7 so the $800 price difference between 9/10 1.6 used and new 1.7 was not justified to me. Also, I disliked the look of the aluminium caps on the sides of the 1.7, but now I am told those are optional.

Maplegrovemusic,

I just picked up my 1.7's last night so this is a very early comment. I am upgrading from the 1.2's. I have started out with tweeters to the outside.

My initial impression is that the 1.7's are much better than the 1.2's in a lot of ways. Sound details that I never heard before seem to jump out of the things. The bass is really much stronger. On certain tracks I can feel it which never happened with the 1.2's. The bass is not boomy and is very articulate. The different timbre of the instruments is noticeable.

I think that placement with the 1.7's will be a bit tricky and understand your soundstage comment. They seem to need more space than the 1.2,s. In my first night of listening I was never able to obtain a good solid center as I moved the speakers around. However, they are supplying so much more detail that I may not be hearing the center even though it is there.

There seems to be a larger sweetspot. Also, I noticed that when I sat outside of one speaker, I could still hear sound from the other speaker across the room. Very impressive.

Finally, I was worried that the 1.7's sounded a little bit clinical in the dealer showroom. In my home environment, that is not the case. The 1.7's are engaging and musical.

Time will see how they improve.