Magnepan

Contrary to many uninformed people's beliefs,you can drive Magnepan 3.7s nicely with an Mc275.I have Martin Logan CLXs and I have NewForm Research ribbons and the NFR like the Maggies are a stable impedance so it's no problem for a tube amp even with less power to drive them..The other amps to consider are the HK Citation 2 rebuilt with the McShane mods.I run two in parallel on the Martin Logans and they do very nicely..

"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

Mcintosh 402 or 452, posted on April 15, 2014 at 04:32:42
fin1bxn@msn.com Audiophile Posts: 2215 Location: new jersey Joined: November 15, 2005	Would be my choice. They have the power needed and are excellent sounding amps to me. I have had 3.6's with mye stands and had Mcintosh 2205 and 2272 on them and they were a good match until I used a PASS X250 which was more neutral sounding. My opinion, after hearing 3.6's with 100 watt tube amps - Go higher power. But that's just my choice.....

RE: Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2014 at 06:43:01
onemug Audiophile Posts: 1276 Location: So. California Joined: April 19, 2003	I've used many Mac's on my 3.6's over the years, tube and ss. Either will work fine. Like Michael said below, the Maggies are a friendly load for tubes, just depends on how loud you like to do your listening. IMO, everyone should try and experience Maggies and tubes at least once in their lives.

RE: Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2014 at 08:30:22

Norman M

Many years ago I was present during a 'shoot out' conducted for a customer between a ARC D-79 (tubes) and a Mark Levinson (the actual one) SS amp, using Maggies by Mike Kay (Lyric Hi-Fi owner) who at the time was an authorized dealer for Magnepan, Audio Research Corporation, and Mark Levinson (and who also IIRC was an ML investor). Truth be told, no one including MK himself could hear any differences. During those early days I owned and compared ARC (D76As) and both the original GAS Ampzillas I and II listening via my Tympani IC speakers. (My pre-amp was a Van Alstine modified ARC SP-3-A1). My hearing was both 40 years 'younger' and healthier back then, and I can safely say that differences between tubes and SS using those Tympanis (and/or Stax headphones) was non-existent.

My reference amp MC352 does fine with MMG's , posted on April 15, 2014 at 11:10:50
BigguyinATL Manufacturer Posts: 3475 Joined: April 10, 2002	Suspect the bigger MC's will do fine as well. "The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius

RE: Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2014 at 13:47:17

macmagman
Audiophile

Posts: 501
Location: NW Indiana
Joined: October 17, 2010

I started out using a MC352 with my 3.3's and it ran out of steam, even went into thermo shutdown which it had never done prior to the Maggies. I am in a big room and like to listen "loud" so I do push it a bit.

I went to Bryston 7bst's and it was an improvement, but then I went to a Sanders Magtec and was very happy. With that said the second biggest improvement was going to a C2200 tube pre amp, this for me was the ticket.

I am a Huge fan of McIntosh haveing owned noting but for over 30 years but the Magtech really made magic with the Maggies.

100 watt tubes will push em', posted on April 15, 2014 at 15:29:26

Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
Since: June 17, 2003

100 watt tubes will work, but only on the mids and tweeter. No way would I ever consider running them full range. I use a pair of old VTL compact 100s on my MG20s on the mids and tweeters. On the bottom I use Emotiva XPA-1's. Both fed through a Marchand XM44 electronic XO. The Emotivas work so well I'll most likely put my Krell up for sale.

This combination supplies enough juice to fill my 17x17' room to sufficient levels with headroom to spare. The bass supplied by the Emotivas speaks volumes, the piano on Tori Amos - (piano collection b' side disc 5) "Never seen blue" is "rich", full, solid and at times explosive. Each note is hammer-striking-strand. Her head (vocals) is slightly off center as if she's sitting in the room performing. You'll get that with 100 watt tubes, but only half the show.

I believe the Mc275 is 75wpc? ..., posted on April 15, 2014 at 16:50:05
andyr Manufacturer Posts: 12548 Location: Melbourne Joined: September 2, 2000	So if that will drive Magnepan 3.7s nicely ... how come someone reported here that he blew his ribbons when using a pair of Manley 'Snappers' (100wpc). I would agree with GL - by all means use the Mc275 on the mids & ribbons but use a second (much more powerful) amp on the bass panels, with a 2-way active XO. Regards, Andy

RE: Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2014 at 17:23:30
Satie Audiophile Posts: 5426 Joined: July 6, 2002	If you want to use any of these amps you would probably benefit from lightening the load on them with a pair of subwoofers.

...and a crossover., posted on April 15, 2014 at 17:46:02

wazoo
Audiophile

Posts: 4062
Location: Middle GA
Joined: December 6, 2006

I have a 150wpc valve amp. I've tried it with my 3.7s in a full range setup and it definitely sounded under-powered. Diverting the heavy lifting to a pair of subs via an electronic crossover, that amp has no problem.

I should qualify that statement. A few nights ago, I discovered that my amp was in triode mode. I switched it from ultra-linear one night when I was listening to quiet music while reading and I completely forgot about it. I've recently been somewhat disappointed in the sound of my system and I finally realized why. I had a senior moment (and I'm not really a senior yet). Curiously, cranking it in triode mode with the wrong kind of music aggravated the Maggie tizziness (at least, that's how it sounds). It's much better in ultra-linear mode (unless I'm listening to acoustic music at more reasonable volumes). So, even with the load lightened, 75(tube)wpc just doesn't cut it (IMO and with my amp).

Yes, clipping is not your friend - even with tube amps nt, posted on April 17, 2014 at 11:56:44
BigguyinATL Manufacturer Posts: 3475 Joined: April 10, 2002	. "The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius

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