 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
I have a buying opportunity for a 60 wpc tube integrated, which would replace my Parasound ss amp. But I am trying to drive 3.6s.
I am looking for experiences from tube/Maggie owners. I am in a largish room (20x17x 18 high).
I cannot audition this amp without buying it as the dealer himself says no way. He is not against auditioning per se, he just thinks trying this combo is a complete waste of time. If I can show him others' experiences, maybe he would agree. And if I can't, then I'll have reason to believe him.
Thanks.
As always the relevant questions are: (1) how big is your room, (2) how loud do you like to listen (3) how much power does the amp generate and (4) what does the amp do when you exceed its limits? Aside from whatever preferences you may have about "tube" or "ss" sound, the only relevance to the tube/ss question is whether you're regularly going to be driving the amp into overload or not. If you are, then tubes are probably the way to go. They don't go ugly when pushed.When I first heard Maggies, nearly 30 years ago, they were ALWAYS demoed with ARC tube equipment. (I think the typical ARC power amp of the time generated about 60 watts.) I think the two companies had some sort of cooperative arrangement. Certainly, the Maggies' resolution revealed the unpleasantness of the SS amps of the era (which weren't any more powerful), and the Maggies' relatively constant impedence and lack of reactance was a very benign load for a tube amp to drive. Obviously, today's models are not the same as the ones I first heard; but for the dealer to dismiss a 60 watt tube amp running any pair of maggies as a joke is unwarranted, unless the amp really doesn't produce 60 watts (power ratings are getting a little flaky these days, especially from some tube equipment).
Tell the dealer to stick a tube in his ear and give it a good twist. Then take your business somewhere else.
Hi Camile,
Come by the MUG and
discuss it. There's a few postings there about tubes and maggies.
I'm running a 60 W OTL into my 3.6's with no trouble, but there's
a few tricks to it. Join the fun ..-D
Well Camile...I would tell that dealer to go take a quick hike and go somewhere else. Whether the amp will work in your system or not is up to you...NOT him. I agree with Andy...there are tons and tons of tube amps out there...so If he doesn't want your business, then take it somewhere else. As to tubes on maggies...I've heard them...and I think it would sound fine. I wouldn't buy anything though without first trying it out....even in Alaska.....[Andy...]
blurock
MAGGIES AND TUBES BLONG TOGETHER........end of speach .......
listen to dyna mkIII to 3.6's and fall in love.
I could understand if he didn't allow free home auditions at all, but to impose his prejudices on you like that is pretty repulsive.
I use a Golden Tube SE40 (nominally 40W) into Maggie 1.6s and am completely satisfied with the volume. My space is about half yours (my ceiling is about half the height of yours). I only turn the volume knob on my Emotive Erato preamp about 1/4 turn before it starts getting too loud for comfort. I listen to all kinds of music: classical, jazz, folk, rock. However, there is a contingent of rock fans out there who listen at volumes I would find physically painful, so it depends on your tastes.
I cannot audition this amp without buying it as the dealer himself says no way. He is not against auditioning per se, he just thinks trying this combo is a complete waste of time> >
This sounds a bit hollow to me. You are the purchaser, you have every right to set the agenda. If he has nothing against auditioning, why does he not value your wishes and judgement - you want to try it after all? I suspect he is trying to sell you something more expensive. Either that or he is indulging in a bit of attitude. The size of your room is one consideration, of course, but don't be put off by the myth that you need to connect your delicate panels to the National Grid. I currently use my SMGa's with a 12 watts per channel Leak Stereo 20. Surprisingly enough, it makes nice sounds - very detailed and nice tone to instruments. It could do with a firmer soundstage and more control, but the frequency response is there from top to bottom. Try another way of hearing Maggies with a medium power tube amp. There are plenty of dealers out there and no shortage of tube amps. Unless you live in Alaska, of course.
I found that 60 watts wasn't enough tube power for my Maggie 1.6's in my listening room, which was 30 by 15 by 8 foot high. I listen to mostly rock and blues and like realistic sound levels. It was fine with acoustic, folk, jazz, etc., or if I listened at not too high a level, but I constantly yearned for more power. The difference between a 200 wpc Adcom, and 60 wpc Dynaco MKIII monoblocks was like night and day, with tubes giving a much more emotionally satisfying portrayal of the musical performance. I finally found a good deal on a pair of 110 wpc Quicksilver Silver mono tube amps, and am a happy camper.
FWIW.
My neighbor uses Rogue m-120 on his maggies, loves em!, I use m-120 on Von Schweikert VR4's, also look at OTL Super compacts I believe 150w each
Jim
www.rogueaudio.com
http://www.sonic.net/~howl/MUG/bbs/index.html
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
