[cbyrlee]

What is(are) the most musical and yet still affordable amp/pre or integrated or even home theater receiver to comfortably drive the Magnepan 1.7s or 3.7s?

Thanks for your consideration

[jarcher]

Prepare for a lot of debate about maggie power requirements.....

I use my 1.7s with vintage Conrad Johnson tube gear : a PV10 pre and MV75a1 amp, which used set me back about $1,500 for both. The amp is 75wpc but has a beefy power supply, so you can guess where I fall on the power debate.

I think many would probably concur that at the "entry level" some kind of parasound halo combo would be a safe bet : e.g a P5 pre with a A23 amp at about $2k new for both.

In integrated amps I like the Rogue Audio Sphinx hybrid integrated amp, which sounds great, can do 200wpc into 4 ohms, and goes for only $1300 new.

Not too many receivers I think I'd want to hook up to 1.7s or 3.7s.  Maybe a beefier Anthem - but the $ would probably be better spent on an integrated or separates.

[k6davis]

Prepare for a lot of debates period!

I'm having great success with the extremely affordable Class D Audio SDS-470c. http://classdaudio.com/audio-amplifiers/sds-470c-custom-class-d-amplifier.html

It doubles its 300W 8 ohm rating to 600W into 4 ohms. Beyond the sheer power, I'd read rave reviews about its sound quality, right here on AudioCircle. So I decided to give it a try, without hearing a note, knowing I could return it.

It sounds fantastic (smooth, detailed, warm and powerful and transparent - all at the same time, LOL) and it pairs very well with the Maggie 1.7.

[NIGHTFALL1970]

AVA Fet Valve 400R 400w into 4 ohms. 

[thunderbrick]

A vintage Moscode 300 amp did great on Maggie 1.6s in a huge room, and now powers the mids/highs of a pair of 20.1s.  Bullet proof.  I've had it well over 25 years and just had the PS caps redone last year.

Street value, maybe $500.

[Emil]

heres a nice one:
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-mccormack-power-drive-dna-1-2014-03-15-amplifiers-95133-san-jose-ca

Steve McCormack still services and performs upgrades to them.

Had the DNA225 on my 3.6s. Very nice indeed

[ricardojoa]

Prepare for a lot of debates period!

I'm having great success with the extremely affordable Class D Audio SDS-470c. http://classdaudio.com/audio-amplifiers/sds-470c-custom-class-d-amplifier.html

It doubles its 300W 8 ohm rating to 600W into 4 ohms. Beyond the sheer power, I'd read rave reviews about its sound quality, right here on AudioCircle. So I decided to give it a try, without hearing a note, knowing I could return it.

It sounds fantastic (smooth, detailed, warm and powerful and transparent - all at the same time, LOL) and it pairs very well with the Maggie 1.7.

Those amps looks to be a bargain and it si made in USA. But i couldnt find any spec for it.

[Gopher]

Up until this week (new speakers coming today!) I've been driving my 1.7s nicely with this class D amp:  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124476.0

[cbyrlee]

Isn't a lot of debate the reason we submit posts?

Thanks for the suggestions!

[usp1]

heres a nice one:
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-mccormack-power-drive-dna-1-2014-03-15-amplifiers-95133-san-jose-ca

Steve McCormack still services and performs upgrades to them.

Had the DNA225 on my 3.6s. Very nice indeed

+1 on the McCormack DNA-1. I have it paired with a 1.6s and they do exceptionally well.

[SteveFord]

What size room, how loud do you like your music and what is your budget?

[rw@cn]

NewClear NC 1000.

[jsm71]

The list isn't complete without mentioning the Sanders Magtech.  You will still need a preamp however, but the amp is killer.

[steve in jersey]

I recall seeing mention of the Odyssey Audio amps as good candidates for use with Maggies quite often over on the Planar board over on Audio Asylum

Why don't you go over to the Odyssey "circle" we have right here & see if anyone over there has any insight
on this pairing

[bladesmith]

Parasound HCA-3500, would do the job as an amplifier. 

[usp1]

I recall seeing mention of the Odyssey Audio amps as good candidates for use with Maggies quite often over on the Planar board over on Audio Asylum

Why don't you go over to the Odyssey "circle" we have right here & see if anyone over there has any insight
on this pairing

I had a pair of Odyssey Stratos mono blocks for about six months which I was using to drive my Maggie 1.6s. I bought them hoping they would out do the McCormack DNA-1. They worked quite well but I could not discern any major improvement over the Dna-1. They were the base Stratos so I presume the upgraded ones may have sounded better. I decided to keep the DNA-1 and replaced the starts with Rogue tube mono blocks so I could have a somewhat different sound.

[stustan]

I am very, very pleased driving my 1.7's with an Emotiva XPA-2 Gen2.  Affordable 500 watts per into 4 ohms.  Just curious....are you listening in 2 channel or movies.  cbyrlee.......I only ask because you mentioned a home theater receiver

[rollo]

   There are so many choices it is tough to get the wrong one. I would recco a SS amp with a tubed preamp. Think classic combos of amp and pre and be done.


charles

[cbyrlee]

Room size is 15 x 23.

I listen to 2 channel whether it is music or movies. Stereo still sounds good to these old ears.

[SteveFord]

We're getting closer but what is your budget and how loud do you listen to music?