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I just made the 1.6 QR to 3.6 R switch a month ago

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In Reply to: Upgrading 1.6QR to 3.6R -- Do I need to replace my amp? posted by Mike Anderson on October 26, 2006 at 23:03:54:

Mike,
I have just made that same switch from the 1.6 QR to the 3.6 R that you are now contemplating. I WAS running a pair of 200 WPC ASL Hurricane monoblocks which swing a lot of current and drove the 1.6's fairly well in my 12 X 27 foot listening room. I was fortunate enough to pick up a fine pair of 3.6's from Dr. Jazz when he moved up to the 20.1's. I hitched them up and noticed some strain with the Hurricane's even at moderate volume on musical peaks. I have since switched over to a Bryston 4B-SST which pump out 500 WPC into the 3.6's 4 ohm load. What a difference ? On peaks there is no strain and the 3.6 is now more "dynamic" AND - I mainly listen to acoustic jazz at moderate sound levels - not full blown classical or pop music. It also seems like I gained another half octave of bass at the bottom end.
I know on paper the 3.6 is supposed to be only 1 dB less sensitive than the 1.6 but IMHO it needs maybe double the wattage to really get those panels moving. IMHO the 1.6 needs 200 WPC minimum and the 3.6 400-500 WPC minimum to handle musical peaks. I know there are some out there that will read this and say "My 1.6 (or 3.6) sounds just great with my 75 - 100 WPC Jolida, Rogue, Conrad Johnson, ARC etc. amplifier" - BUT - to those that do >> You should maybe TRY and borrow a higher powered amp from a friend and insert it into your system. I think you will be surprised at the difference some extra power headroom will have with your Maggies.
Bob

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Re: I just made the 1.6 QR to 3.6 R switch a month ago - Sixthofmay 19:49:10 10/31/06 (0)
"IMHO the 1.6 needs 200 WPC minimum and the 3.6 400-500 WPC minimum to handle musical peaks."
Yep totally agree. And if you really want to open them up go for more. I'm quite pleased with a pro Crown MA-3600vz on a 30 amp circuit (about $1000 via ebay). Good for about 1600 watts a channel at 3.5 ohms.. hehehe..
Opposite experience - eungkim67 23:07:05 10/27/06 (1)
FWIW, I had a different experience.
My room is 15x27 feet. I've owned the 3.6 twice for a total of 6 years.
I went from Gamut M250 (250wpc into 8ohm/500wpc into 4ohms) to ASL Hurricanes. For most of the music I enjoy, pop/rock/jazz/classical, the tube amps just sound more musical/palpable/and enjoyable. The Gamut SS was never offensive and definitely had better bass power and control, but the tube amps just sounded more natural and musical. SS had better sound effects. Indeed, I almost exclusively listen in 100wpc triode mode instead of 200 wpc pentode because it gives more body and palpability.
I say get the 3.6 and try it with your current amps. If you are not satisfied, or even if you are, demo some other, more powerful, amps.
I had a jones for new speakers and went to RMAF. On my return, my speakers sound lovelier than most of what I heard at the show. Not sure if I want to change. The 3.6 are great at what they do.
- Your post is a good illustration of my experiences with Maggies! (NT) - Alan G. 08:36:32 10/28/06 (0)
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Re: I just made the 1.6 QR to 3.6 R switch a month ago - Mike Anderson 18:07:53 10/27/06 (0)
Thanks, that's extremely helpful.
With Maggies, it's not all just about power - Alan G. 18:06:27 10/27/06 (1)
I've had three pairs of Maggies and I've had amps of various topologies and power levels on each of them. I've found that it's more the amp's design than raw power that allow Maggies to sound good. Sure, 500 watts from a good amp will do good things on Maggies. However, there are those on here that won't like the 500 watt Bryston, saying it's not a full bodied sound. That may be because of other factors not related to the amp. One of the most impressive presentations I ever got from the IIIA's in my living room was from a very good tube preamp feeding a 30 watt class D tube. This combo produced a very 3D, coherent soundstage with rich midrange, and very voluminous, dynamically realistic images. The one thing lacking somewhat is a limitation how big and loud the sonic image can be presented and still hold together all its constituent parts. That's where a 200 watt tube amp would yield the bigger, stronger picture. A 200 watt solid state Adcom could not accomplish a third of what the 30 watt tube did. A 200 watt Bedini class A amp produced a strong, stable sound with many good qualities. As a matter of fact the Maggies, when set up correctly, will allow almost infinite valid sonic presentations which consequently means that Maggies will show the sonic picture of almost every amp out there.
- Re: With Maggies, it's not all just about power - benie 21:58:55 10/28/06 (0)
  I agree with the design of the amp matters. I had a 200 watt B+K amp on my smaller MG1 imp, but a 75 watt Threshold was much better.

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