2. amps-preamps
  3. 1277869637

Amp for Magnepan 1.7's

I have a pair of Magnepan 1.7's on the way and was looking for a new amplifier for them. I currently have a Carver C-1 & M-500 setup which I anticipate will not do the 1.7's justice so I'm looking to options ahead of time.

I heard the 1.7's with an NAD M3 integrated and was very pleased with the sound so I'm sort of looking to use that as a starting point. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd prefer to go with an integrated but I'm not dead set against a ss or tube pre & solid state amp. I'd like something with remote control for sure as I'd like to easily integrate with my home theater.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
dorfma05
drdennis
165 posts
 
The $1200 NAD would be a relatively low cost option, and should have adequate power.
dorfma05 OP
13 posts
 
I'm looking to keep the integrated or pre & amp combo at around $2k used. I'm not sure if that's a good price point or not. I could flex up a few hundred more if it would do a lot more for me. I'm under the impression that you'd typically spend less on an amplifier than the speakers to "match" them appropriately. It seems that maybe the maggies are a special case?

Also, since I'm sort of new to this, if I were to get a tube preamp how often would I have to replace the tubes? I'm looking to get very heavy use out of this thing so I wonder if that would be an issue. I know on my guitar amplifier I only have to replace preamp tubes every year or two, does the same hold true for hi-fi preamp tubes?

Thanks all.
energizer
113 posts
 
Odessey is very good.Krell made a good integrated.I do not know if it is still available.A used threshold would do nicely.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 
I know on my guitar amplifier I only have to replace preamp tubes every year or two, does the same hold true for hi-fi preamp tubes?

Yes. I have seen preamp tubes under heavy use hold up as long as 5-6 years.
thesoundhouse
250 posts
 
I would go with something that has lots of current. The NAD is powerul but it relys on voltage as opposed to current. Something like a Krell KAV 2250 power amp or a Pass Labs X150.5. Do not by a Krell pre-amp they are dry sounding but the KAV 2250 is a great sounding poweramp. My friend has a pair of 1.7 in his store and they sound really good with the Krell KAV 2250 but not as good with the Bryston 2BSt and the 3BST was way too bright. The Bryston 2BST sounds good but you can hear it working. I took home the 1.7s for the weekend and drove them with a Pass Labs XA30.5 and was shocked how well they sounded. Infact it is a an excellent combo. The X150.5 is very similar to the XA30.5 but the XA30.5 has much more bias and a little more current but only 30watts per side as opposed to 150 a side. I really like the Magie 1.7s they are hard too beat. You could spend well over $10k and not have a better speaker.
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