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Budget amp that will give Magnepan 3.6Rs better depth of soundstage

I have 3.6Rs and using Emotiva UMC200 pre/proc and an Outlaw Audio 7100 in a 14 by 14 foot room. So I don't need to turn the volume up to massive levels. The amp will do 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 165 watts per channel into 4 ohms. I have been thinking of getting a separate two channel amp for the 3.6Rs. I have read that it takes lots of current to get the best soundstage with instrument placement and depth. I am getting wide soundstage and good sound, but the depth is somewhat muddied enough to not get instrument placement. I am looking for a two channel amp that will give me more of the potential of the 3.6Rs, but be able to be purchased for less that $750 used.  Is there any amp that will be worth upgrading to for that kind of money or do I need a new pre/proc as well?

cdavis2260
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,845 posts
 

Many years ago I tried a Classe CA-200 on a pair of 3.5rs and I didn’t think it was a good match. I didn’t keep the amp long at all.

gumbedamit
97 posts
 

I'm reading posts from people telling you , your room is too small, get a tube amp and so on.  My first pair of Maggie's I listened to them in a small room, I still enjoyed them. Of course after I moved and got a larger place, they sounded much better.  There are so many people saying, it's not the watts, it's the current,  guess what, good high powered amps have high current to push those panels. As I stated earlier along with a few others,  look for and older Classe, Parasound,  older amps in that power and class range.  Enjoy the Music...

Ag insider logo xs@2x
bouncehit
73 posts
 

On a budget the Adcom 555 is tough to beat!

gumbedamit
97 posts
 

One of the first amps I had to drive my Maggie's,  (2.5r,IIIa') was the Harmon Kardon Signature 1.5, that was a great lil power house. Very musical. I'm sorry I sold it.

arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 

+1 on room

clean room, carpet, or hardwood?

 

you will need sufficient current for those speakers, and congrats o n the Maggies, those are wicked good speakers. May need corner traps, etc. I have pillows behind my 2nd system, they are in the,same situation as I mentioned in previous message. 
soaks up excess boominess. 
 

those things are way too big for 14x14 room.  Room open on any sides,? As mentioned, you get that airy open sound from reflection, and the highs from the Maggie’s,…oh,did I say they are awesome speakers?

 

took me 3 weeks of nightly moving speakers, swapping rca cables, swapping CD players,  etc etc. 

the most important would be the amp, audition if possible, and check audiogon daily for a stereo amp or. Monoblocks.

you need to look for a high current amp, those bad dogs will suck up 100w easy, and the amp will clip.

 

NO,CLASS D ,..MUSIC WILL SOUND FLAT AND UNINSPIRED, EMOTIONLESS. 

NO TUBES.

SEARCH FOR A MIN 250w high current amp or monos.

 

keep checking reputable shops and audiogon, usaudio,mart. 
 

good luck

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