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Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's

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Posted on November 18, 2016 at 18:32:14
bubslewis@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: pennsylvania
Joined: November 18, 2016
 Hello,
The music part of my overall system consists of Magnepan 1.6 speakers driven by a B&K 125-8ohm/185-4ohm amplifier. Preamp is a rather old Yamaha (mid 1980's). I'm looking to upgrade the preamp and was wondering if anybody had any recommendations.

I understand that solid state preamps do not match up particularly well with the Maggies and I'm wondering what else is out there. I'm willing to go with about $800 to $1200 price range (or maybe a little higher). I've looked a little bit at a Vincent SA31 hybrid preamp ($700) and the upgraded SA31MK hybrid (costs twice as much).

Anybody have any recommendation. Would appreciate.

tx,
Bill

 

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RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 18, 2016 at 18:38:37
66mgb
Audiophile

Posts: 252
Location: Neskowin Oregon
Joined: November 8, 2009
 I use a Conrad Johnson PV12 with my 3.6's and it works very well with my Pass Labs amp to drive them.

 

SS or tube, Maggies love both types of preamps -it's just, posted on November 18, 2016 at 19:10:38
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 they'll reveal what you throw at em'. But fortunately that doesn't mean you have to spend an arm and leg to find a right preamp. I'm not sure how flexible your needs are (HT, phono, etc.,) myself, I'm more of a minimalist, my current pre is a $300 Bottlehead foreplay which smokes a LOT of tubed pre's triple it's cost. It's bare bones and only has three inputs which is fine with me. Anyway good luck!









 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 18, 2016 at 20:07:39
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 I use a rather heavily modified Audible Illusions tube preamp. I would suggest that the Vincent is a good choice and the upgraded version is worth the extra funds. I would also suggest you look at the Doge 8, also from China, and at a lower cost is the Yaquin preamp, which is remarkably good for the price. The Rogue RP 1 got good press recently.

From the old classics Melos SHA Gold and MA333 (any version). Any CAT SL1 version. Conrad Johnson and older Manley would also fit your budget. All fabulous. MFA Magus and Lumi and Audible Illusions 3A. . The ARC pres are very good but rarely show up as good values. Perhaps some VTL preamps are old enough to be a viable option now.

I kits the Herran SE non feedback pre is excellent.

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 18, 2016 at 23:23:27
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Who says SS preamp doesn't work with Maggies?

I'm using a PARASOUND P5 which retails for about a grand these days.

And I have a pair of the A23 by Parasound, roughly the power equal of your B&K, but I've got ONE per speaker.

Many current preamps will blow the 'old Yamaha' away. You could even get a Parasound P3 as an experiment for cheap. No longer in production, they should go for well South of 500$. Maybe a LOT less.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 19, 2016 at 01:21:24
motberg
Audiophile

Posts: 66
Joined: May 19, 2013
 Maybe wait until the Schiit Freya starts shipping and see the initial reactions... from what I am reading at the headphone forum, it may be just a few weeks yet...

Freya
Balanced Remote Passive/Active Preamp

Relay switched stepped attenuator (128 steps)
Selectable passive, JFET buffer, or tube gain operation
Tube gain stage uses (4) 6SN7 tubes and 300V rail
2 balanced inputs, 3 SE inputs, balanced and SE outputs
Full remote control
Shipping October 2016 for $699

The Saga (more economic) model is already shipping, and some of those observations may be relevant.

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 20, 2016 at 20:11:59
Utley1
Audiophile

Posts: 1609
Location: NYC
Joined: July 30, 2010
 I was told the Vincent requires factory tube change?

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 20, 2016 at 20:22:21
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 You always want to do that unless you get one with exactly the tubes you like.

If you mean that the Vincents have their tubes soldered in, I know they do that for the Integrated amps, but don't know why they would do that in the preamps. But check it with owners to be sure.

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 20, 2016 at 20:47:45
Utley1
Audiophile

Posts: 1609
Location: NYC
Joined: July 30, 2010
 Yes. I do not know why either-that what kept me away from them a few years back-but their models have not changed. The 'Mystere' a reasonable choice(price wise and reputation) but have not found a reliable dealer that carries them locally..

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 20, 2016 at 21:09:38
russ69
Audiophile

Posts: 951
Joined: December 13, 2009
 "Who says SS preamp doesn't work with Maggies?"

I totally agree. Maggies can be on the warm side so a nice SS pre will work great. The only warning is you don't want to make your system too lean sounding because a lean sounding Maggie will not be very engaging.

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 20, 2016 at 22:13:43
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 That's why I liked my NAD1700 tuner preamp of 3 decades ago and never 'warmed' to the Rotel power amp I later tried.

My Parasound combo splits the difference nicely AND has more headroom than my 'd' Integrated amp I sold to go with the Para's.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: SS or tube, Maggies love both types of preamps -it's just, posted on November 29, 2016 at 10:45:50
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 GL<
Bought as a KIT or BUILT?

I'm thinking headphone amp from those guys!
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 29, 2016 at 17:58:56
ejman
Audiophile

Posts: 403
Location: SW Oregon
Joined: October 3, 2006
 I really like my oldie but good Mapletree 2A SE preamp that I've used for many years now. I don't know if Dr.Peppard still builds them in the frozen hinterlands of Canada but I found this preamp to tame any manner of beasties that Magneplanars brought to the fore in their own clear fashion ( I have 1.7's). The preamp uses NOS 12SN7's tubes which are plentiful for very reasonable prices in E-pray but can also use 6SN7's

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on November 29, 2016 at 19:42:21
bubslewis@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: pennsylvania
Joined: November 18, 2016
 Mapletree is still in business. I looked up their website. There was a very in depth review on their preamp (the successor to the 2A SE, I believe). It was matched up with Maggie 1.7's.The reviewer had actually traveled up to Canada and visited the home and workshop of Dr. Peppard.

I would have looked very hard at Mapletree (good prices also), but 3 days ago I ordered a Vincent SA-31 MK preamp. It's being shipped as I type this.

Be that as it may, I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks,
Bill Lewis

 

RE: Recommend preamp for Magnepan 1.6's, posted on December 2, 2016 at 21:41:46
sqlsavior
Audiophile

Posts: 55
Location: New Mexico
Joined: June 25, 2013
 Promitheus TVC

http://www.promitheusaudio.com/tvc.htm

or Hornshoppe The Truth, although I haven't heard it...

 

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