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Best Amps for Magneplanar 1.7i Speakers

I have a new pair of Magneplanar 1.7i speakers. Source material is CDs played on an  OPPO 105D disc player, and Qobuz streamed through the OPPO. Current amplification is Rogue Audio Sphinx (version 1). I have an old B&W powered subwoofer (ASW2000)  connected to the subwoofer outputs on the Sphinx. Listening room is about 15’x14’, ceiling height 9’. The sound quality is reasonably good but at times it feels a little underpowered. I’d welcome thoughts  on whether the Sphinx is enough amplifier for the speakers and what other amplifiers (integrated or pre- and power-amp combinations) might work well? Especially interested in views regarding tubes versus solid state. Budget for the amp or amp combo is $4,000 to $8,000. Thanks in advance!

kevin1956
jrwaudio
332 posts
 

Has this question been asked before?? : )

I have the Magnepans. 7’s and drove them with my VAC PA 100 100 tube amp and ARC LS15 tube pre amp It was acceptable, but felt the Maggie’s just wanted more watts/current So out came the VAC and in went my Spectron musical MK lll

500watts@8ohm 650@4ohms and 1,200 watts@1ohm

65 amps for 500 milliseconds Now my Maggie’s beg for mercy!

So give them as much watts/current as possible

 

kevin1956 OP
12 posts
 

Lots of ideas here, and thanks to all of you! There is something to mrskeptic’s observation that maybe I am just looking for a Christmas present for myself. Still, with that volume knob well past the halfway mark I do wonder whether the Maggies need a little more juice. 

leorousseau's avatar
leorousseau
70 posts
 

I have a Rogue Sphinx v3 up for grabs on US Audio Mart if interested. From what I hear, it is a great pairing to the LRS's, but not sure about the 1.7's. Thought it was worth mentioning.

   Leo 

soix
8,780 posts
 

Lots of ideas here, and thanks to all of you! There is something to mrskeptic’s observation that maybe I am just looking for a Christmas present for myself. Still, with that volume knob well past the halfway mark I do wonder whether the Maggies need a little more juice.

I think whatever the reason you’re not hearing what you want, and that’s the bottom line so maybe you could more fully communicate what it is you feel you’re missing and/or want to improve. It may not be as much a power thing as much as a character thing. The more you share, the better recommendations you’ll get here. Saying you think you’re underpowered just doesn’t do it in this context.  Need more please.

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

@kevin1956

Still, with that volume knob well past the halfway mark I do wonder whether the Maggies need a little more juice.

don’t mistake volume knob position with amplifier power available to drive speakers

could well be you have a low output voltage source (or high input impedance at the amp input), leading you to need to open up the volume control on your rogue unit

just like a corvette may have a less sensitive gas pedal, need to step on it more to go... but it doesn’t mean it is less powerful than a honda civic with a touchy gas pedal

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