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Maggies with Tubes?

Hey Guys,
For the last few years I have been enjoying a pair of 1975 KHorns as my main speakers but just sold them a couple of days ago.
Still have a pair of 1979 Cornwalls that I am currently driving with a Audio Space Galaxy 300 (300B in push pull, 21 wpc).
I stopped into a local shop and listened to a pair of 1.7s driven by a, I think Mac 252... and they sounded fantastic!

If I was to add a pair of 1.6s or even better a pair of 1.7s, would my Galaxy be able to drive the Maggies?

Keep in mind, I would not be expecting the output that I am use to with either of my Klipsch speakers, but I am hopeful that the Galaxy could drive both the Corns and Maggies.

Or, should I be looking at another amp (perhaps a KT88) that would be better suited to drive either of the 2 speaker systems?

Thanks in advance.
hpower
doak
199 posts
 
"I had Rogue M120s (120 tube watts) with my 1.6's and it had beautiful tone but sounded dull and lifeless."

I had exactly the same experience when trying these amps on a pair of ML CLS-1. They don't do low impedance well. A pair of Quicksilver Silver 90's did the job as did the Music Reference RM-9.
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,305 posts
 
Doak, that makes sense about the Rogue M120 because I also used a Manley Stingray with the 1.6 and it had a vibrant sound, more alive than the Rogue.
hififile
236 posts
 
You need to consider how loud you will play your music and the size of the room. I have used Maggies for years and experimented with all types of amps. My feeling is you will get sound, but will be generally underpowered to get the most out of such a fine speaker.

I used a McIntosh MC275 on both 1.6's and 3.6's. The sound was good, however the bass performance was lacking. I put a MC402 on the Maggies and the system was excellent for all music needs.

My vote is a bigger more powerful amplifier. Consider 100 watts and good current delivery as a good place to start.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
Years ago I drove a pair of 1.6s with a Music Reference RM9 to good effect. Maybe not ideal, but it worked well enough.

Shakey
onemug
784 posts
 
Sebrof, good call.

It's no wonder that a "thread starter" can start out a little confused and end up a lot confused. "Absolutely can!! "Absolutely can't!!" Thing is, both can be right depending on the type of music and loudness they like to listen at.

We all get to have an opinion, that's why it's called a discussion forum. Quoting the OP: "I would not be expecting the output that I am use to with either of my Klipsch speakers," I'll add to my previous opinion/post that, besides low level listening, if his particular amp has a strong power supply and great transformers he should be happy.
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