2. amps-preamps
  3. 167036-159831

Tubes for Magnepan’s.

I think next up on my acquisition list is a tube amplifier. I'm not looking for the be all end all, cause I don’t think there is a definitive "Best", so am looking for as good as I can get for $3-4k.


Because tubes drive speakers so much more efficiently than solid state I am only looking for 40-50 watts to drive my modded Maggie’s, 1.7i's. (Or what you have when you add a new crossover and planer tweeters to 1.7i's.) Maybe 2.7x? I haven’t settled on that yet. And I have some Zu Dirty Weekend's upgraded to the max coming in in 2 months to replace my KEF's.

Anyway, I haven’t had a tube device since my Halicrafter short wave radio, and reviews are not the same as advice from people that own something. There is a Rouge Audio dealer in my area, last I looked, (opps, they no longer carry them), so I may have to go to another market to hear something, or get a try before you buy from a manufacturer or dealer.

You folks have taught me a lot, and I think asking users is the right thing to do on this change in direction.

Thanks in advance.
128x128william53b
william53b's avatar
william53b OP
211 posts
 
@jjss49 

We have already settled on a tube pre into a SS amp, I think. 

But thanks so much for you detailed response. I want to buy a used A23 just to gauge the difference between the Parasound Halo line and my Benchmark AHB2. I can always use that in my studio, since my Adcom 555 is dying.

I was thinking a Parasound A21 or a Hegel 20 or 390 used for a high current amp.

Let there be Peace in this valley.... 😉
secretguy
1,591 posts
 
Phew...some of the things you guys believe....
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bouncehit
73 posts
 
Have you tried a Sunfire Signature amp on them? Among the best sound I ever squeezed from MG 20.1’s and reasonably priced. 
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
So why did we need to see 2 pages of specs on a Benchmark AHB2? That amp must have a TON of feedback!
william53b's avatar
william53b OP
211 posts
 
@fiesta25

It is necessary because:

1. Some people feel the need to reiterate the fact that Maggie’s need a "LOT OF POWER". Which we already know. Many of us are happy with 100w's a channel into 8 ohms with our speakers though and we are not crazy, lazy or stupid. 

2. Not many people are familiar with this amp, but some automatically dismiss it as inadequate. And the most important spec is that if one is not powerful enough for a given person, two in bridged mode will make your ears bleed.

3. I would rather defend people who know what they want "en masse", and I want to hear what others have to say regarding their positive experiences with tubes and Maggie’s, and some people are closed minded and don’t understand that, so feel that we are somehow not listening to the Mantra of Maggie’s.

4. I'd rather hear the positive of someone else’s experience with a Maggie and a Zen Triode than someone that has 2000watts per side AB because that is already established doctrine, and we heard them the first time.

✌️
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