Carver ZR + Maggies?

Horizons · « **on:** 21 Apr 2004, 12:21 am »

I need an amp to power my Maggie 1.6QRs. I already have a powered sub.

The Carver Pro amps sound interesting as the Maggies love power. Would these amps make a good match? Also, is it worth the extra $100 or so to get the 1600 vs. the 1000?

Thanks!

audioengr · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Apr 2004, 03:36 am »

The technical contact at Carver told me that the ZR1000 actually sounds better at least in stock form, but they are virtually identical except for a couple of parts substitutions according to the schematic. I would imagine that the mods would be identical for a 1000 and a 1600.

I believe that either would be good candidates for driving Magnepans. Several folks that have them on this forum drive low-impedance speakers with them.

flintstone · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Apr 2004, 08:16 pm »

A member of the audiogon forum is using the Carver's with his 1.6's, you may want to drop a post over there also. If I recall...he is very happy with the results.

Dave

earlmarc · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Apr 2004, 08:30 pm »

I have the Maggie MG1.6QR speakers as well as a Carver ZR-1600 amplifier. My amplifier is currently being modified by Steve at Empirical Audio. There is unquestionably a special synergy between these two products. I personally have never heard a better amplifier drive the Maggies as well as the ZR-1600. I can't wait to get my amp back from Steve. I think he will push the potential of this amp with mods to compete with the best amps available regardless of price.

SWG255 · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Apr 2004, 09:04 pm »

Nathan at Eighth Nerve told me last autumn when I bought my ZR 1600 from him and subsequently had him modify it, that he thought there was a special synergy between the Carver ZR amps and maggies, he felt no amp for anywhere the Carvers' price could compete with it driving Magnaplanar speakers. You might want to drop him a line on his forum here on AC and see if he still feels this way.

Quote from: earlmarc

I have the Maggie MG1.6QR speakers as well as a Carver ZR-1600 amplifier. My amplifier is currently being modified by Steve at Empirical Audio. There is unquestionably a special synergy between these two products. I personally have never heard a better amplifier drive the Maggies as well as the ZR-1600. I can't wait to get my amp back from Steve. I think he will push the potential of this amp with mods to compete with the best amps available regardless of price.

JCC · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Apr 2004, 01:34 am »

There is a review _Richard_ on AudioCircle about the ZR1600 and the Maggie 1.6.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=5265&highlight=zr%2A

Richard loves the ZR magic with his Maggies.