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In Reply to: RE: Magnepan 1.4 posted by JBen on March 18, 2015 at 16:11:54
JBen, thanks for the help. I do have "banana peel" on just a few rows, its fine other than that. I also found this upgrade http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue4/magnapan3.htm but my speakers have 2 coils and 2 capacitors and wonder if this would be worth it for my 1.4. Thanks again!
Follow Ups:
I bought my MMGs 2nd hand. In those days I left the banana peel (which they already had) untouched for years because they did not cause audible issues. Later, when I first fixed it...there was no improvement in sound. Then again, I was never hearing buzzes or noises, which you do seem to be getting. (So, try to verify that the noises are from banana peel.)If you plan to fix the banana peel, make sure to clean the Mylar substrate well with acetone. Use the acetone sparingly because you don't want the acetone to go into other wire areas. Q-tips & thin art brushes help.
But use enough to clean well. The first time I screwed up because I was too fearful to use too much acetone...and cleaned badly. The new E6000 glue eventually gave way and I had to reapply. (Well ok, I was pushing some serious dbs, like close to 110, for tests. Not wise on old Maggies, and mine are from last century...)
The 2nd time, once horizontal, I slanted the MMGs a little more downward on the side to be treated. I was able to use acetone without fear. Any minor excess could then roll toward the frame instead of the wires...not that I used too much anyway.
On your question about upgrading parts, it is hard to be sure. I'll give you a perspective. Hopefully, other will soon add theirs and you may be able to derive your best strategy.
I bought my MMGs fully intending to bi-amp them AND to do this at line level (which I did within months). However, I knew that I would first need to "learn" their "personality" as a native design. I never regretted the patience this required. In the process, there was an unexpected develop...err, predictable stupidity.
I blew the original crossovers up while I was still deciding on the final "new xover". The parts were so old that I, hmmm, I abused them (an old habit of mine). To do this kind of thing, Telarc's recordings of Tchaikovsky's 1812 cannons have served me well for decades, since their first such, which was a LP. The newer SACD is just as effective, LOL! So, I did rebuild the native crossover though I did not originally want to.
Anyway, this rebuilding to "original crossover specs" did reveal that, yeah, some of the original parts had been "dated". More than anything, it was the caps, not the coils. That said, the use of better-rated coils did help much also. If it gets to this, many of us can show you good alternatives. BTW, the link below is to the 1.4 xover schematics, in the MUG archives. I would not rush it, though.
What I want to stress, is that learning your likes/dislikes relative to these Maggies at this stage may help you choose what upgrades to pursue first.
Edits: 03/19/15
Wow, thanks soo much that helpful info. I will listen to them more and make a decision then. Thanks again
Enjoy! This is also a good period of time to try positioning the Maggies at various points. Even minute differences could make a difference for better or worse. By and large, the behaviors at any specific spot will remain the same along years, unless the room or the Maggies' surroundings change much. So, it is time well spent.
Have fun!
One last thing, I took off the tan covers and was wondering if they can be washed or would they fall apart? I was thinking of getting the black covers but the tan is starting to grow on me.
Wow, great timing. I was just passing by while munching on a quick (veggie) burger! :-(
I think they were still using burlap on some Maggies in those days? If so, I would not wash them, just vac VERY carefully. In theory, you could also try dry cleaning...others here may know.
Now, my not-much-younger, 1999-manufactured, MMGs came with a stretch cloth that did resist a mild wash well. Ironically, I was not going to put them back on anyway. But I still tried it back in 2010, and they stretched just fine, and did stay fully black after the wash.
Oh, well! If a nice wash does not work, hmmm....you wanted to order "black" from Magnepan anyway, right? LOL!
While new ones arrive, you can enjoy the Maggies naked. They can put on a more seductive show in this manner, really : - ))
LOLOL!! That would be interesting. I thought it was burlap but I wasn't sure. I cant believe burlap on an expensive speaker like these. Crazy. I guess I am just going to have to order the new black covers from mag. The think is the cover have an smell of oldness to them that I need to get rid of. What do you think, black or this tan again?
Your question about "tan or black" comes just after I spoke to a friend on the phone. He called to tell me that we will have Orff's Carmina Burana performed in Miami next week...and hardly any seats left but the most expensive ones!
So, I am laughing because, on my first date with my wife decades ago, I took her to a performance of Carmina Burana. Being her first time in this concert hall, she asked how they had chosen the colors for the interior walls.
I replied (in a very serious tone) that it was chosen for acoustical reasons. "Some colors reflect sound in better ways than others." I've paid a price for that smart-ass comment ever since.
Let's leave it to your better judgement, LOL!
That is great. I tell you at first I didn't like the tan but now they have grown on me but all my other speakers (ML,B&W) are all black. This was a no brainer until I listened to them and always looking at them. Damn!!!!
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