Lots of good suggestions here

Posted by Michael Samra (D) on September 26, 2014 at 10:34:06

In Reply to: Conrad Johnson and tube question posted by Hamed on September 24, 2014 at 12:58:33:

Many people are mistaken in their perception of Magnepan speakers when it comes to the power issue.They can handle a lot of power but they don't need a lot of power being they are a purely resistive and stable load that tube amps love.
Andy mentioned about the leak sounding better than the CJ on the Maggies and he is absolutely correct because the first 2 to 5 watts is the most critical for Magnepans as that gives you almost all your listening volume most of the time.
Trying a tube preamp is another excellent suggestion along with biamping.
I used to have Magnepan Tympani 4As and I used to drive those with Mcintosh mc60s.The CJ Premier one we had on them didn't sound good until you got the volume past one o:clock position but this was CJ's first huge amp literally,being serial# 0001.
I now run Martin Logans CLXs biamped with a pair of Citation 2s done with Jim McShane's mods and solid state on the subs.
I have a pair of NewForm Research ribbons which also handle 500 watts.Like the Magnepans they are a resistive load and I run them with a single Citation 2 or an Mc275 Mac or a pair of Mc60s..They all drive them effortlessly..
I would look for a vintage tube amp or mono block amps around 60 to 75 watts such as Macs or Citation 2s and do the McShane upgrades and your speakers will love it..Even an Mc240 Mac will drive them nicely,especially if you biamp.

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

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Conrad Johnson and tube question - Hamed 12:58:33 09/24/14 (20)

RE: Conrad Johnson and tube question - tvr2500m 14:38:56 09/30/14 (0)

Spent 4 years with these on 3.6R's - DustyC 22:53:04 09/27/14 (2)

RE: Spent 4 years with these on 3.6R's - Hamed 10:57:23 09/28/14 (1)

"blur, muddy, slow, and heaviness" - DustyC 14:20:44 09/28/14 (0)

Look at Electrocompaniet instead.. - Freo-1 07:28:39 09/27/14 (0)

Lots of good suggestions here - Michael Samra 10:34:06 09/26/14 (3)

RE: Lots of good suggestions here - rosendds@frontiernet.net 04:12:28 09/27/14 (2)

RE: Lots of good suggestions here - airtime 10:15:35 09/27/14 (1)

Krell a hard act to follow?... um er ... Ok~nT - Cleantimestream 16:59:28 09/27/14 (0)

RE: Conrad Johnson and tube question - Hornlover 08:20:30 09/26/14 (0)

RE: Conrad Johnson and tube question - George S. Roland 07:15:51 09/26/14 (0)

What's your goal and "what" list in a stereo - airtime 07:22:00 09/25/14 (1)

RE: What's your goal and "what" list in a stereo - Mick Wolfe 09:32:10 09/25/14 (0)

Tubes and Maggies - andy evans 06:49:19 09/25/14 (1)

RE: Tubes and Maggies - Old SteveA 05:21:41 09/26/14 (0)

RE: Conrad Johnson and tube question - Sondek 06:27:16 09/25/14 (0)

RE: Conrad Johnson and tube question - Mick Wolfe 15:55:11 09/24/14 (0)

Magnepans can soak up power - petercapo 15:25:01 09/24/14 (0)

RE: Conrad Johnson and tube question - unclestu 13:50:52 09/24/14 (0)

RE: Conrad Johnson and tube question - mbnx01 13:44:39 09/24/14 (0)

Follow Ups

Lots of good suggestions here - Michael Samra 10:34:06 09/26/14 (3)

RE: Lots of good suggestions here - rosendds@frontiernet.net 04:12:28 09/27/14 (2)

RE: Lots of good suggestions here - airtime 10:15:35 09/27/14 (1)

Krell a hard act to follow?... um er ... Ok~nT - Cleantimestream 16:59:28 09/27/14 (0)

Lots of good suggestions here

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