[earl]

Does anyone have any experience with the HT3  amp? I am thinking of using it to power Maggie 3.6Rs and a Maggie center channel

[Marbles]

Left and right channel are identicle to a Stratos, center channel is a stratos with a full power transformer to itself.

Whatever is said about the Stratos and Maggies would apply to the Left and right channels.

If it were me, I might want to go dual mono for Left and right (or full mono's), and mono for center.

[alex_odyssey_sg]

To get the best out of the 3.6...go straight for the Mono Extremes. And another mono for the maggie centre. The 3.6 at 4 ohms and 85 db is not the easiest speakers to drive (this I am sure you know).

And to drive them at home theatre levels... HT3 can do the job. But really... Mono Extremes would really be the way to go...

[John151]

Before you order the HT-3 amp, or alternate 3 channel setup, you may want to verify that you actually want to run a center channel.  Many Maggie owners have found that the L&R image so well, that they don't need a center.

[byteme]

Before you order the HT-3 amp, or alternate 3 channel setup, you may want to verify that you actually want to run a center channel.  Many Maggie owners have found that the L&R image so well, that they don't need a center.

It doesn't matter how well your main speakers image if you're running 5.1 or 7.1 you'll miss information and have less than ideal setup if you don't run a center.  There is no substitute for a dedicated center channel that is matched to your mains.  Depending on what you're listening to (PLII, DD, DTS, etc.) a majority of the information (especially PLII) comes out of the center.

[John151]

It is my understanding that if you tell your receiver/pre-pro that you do not have a center, it will send the center info to both channels (in addition to the Left and Right signals), such that there is no loss in information.

[byteme]

It is my understanding that if you tell your receiver/pre-pro that you do not have a center, it will send the center info to both channels (in addition to the Left and Right signals), such that there is no loss in information.

That's true.  But, look at what you just said.  It's either going to have 3 separate channels going or it will matrix the center into the left and right meaning that all three are degraded.  It'll work, but by no means is it going to approach three dedicated speakers.  I've never done it but I'd suppose then that in running PLII the only benefit of that over stereo is that it brings the surrounds into the mix, because a big + of PLII is that it pumps almost everything through the center.

I would think for most folks here they are far enough into 2 channel that their mains image like all get out.  I know mine do and there is no way I'd ever use a TV or no center when watching TV or DVDs.  In fact, when first getting into HT from 2 channel just to see if it would be "worth it" we started with a HTiB setup.  The first thing that was replaced was the center channel.  Even though we already had a dedicated (albiet from the HTiB system) center channel the improvement was well worth the couple hundred going to a "real" center channel speaker.

The only way I could recommend going without is if you're just really not into HT at all, but then why would you have the receiver, etc?  You'd be far enough ahead running the L/R out from your TV into your preamp and pumping out stereo.

[John151]

I am not recommending a phantom center Per Se, just mentioning that it may be worth researching as many audiophiles run with a phantom center.  

I have a 5.1 setup using 5 Maggies, with a Strereo Stratos, and an HT-3 on the way.  I am about to nix the center as it sounds better w/o the center (with the center and rears driven by the receiver as the HT-3 has not arrived yet).  However, my center is disadvantaged as the screen (front PJ) forces either a very low, or very high, mount.   I will wait until the HT-3 comes in to make my final decision, but for now, I have the center turned off on the receiver.   I will also be upgrading my MMG L&R to either 1.6 or 3.6, and I expect that this will widen the gap even further.

[earl]

I am curious. I have not spoken to Klaus in several months regarding the build/ship date on an HT3s. How long a wait did he state you had for yours? How long ago did you order it?
Thanks

[John151]

I am curious. I have not spoken to Klaus in several months regarding the build/ship date on an HT3s. How long a wait did he state you had for yours? How long ago did you order it?
Thanks

I purchased mine used.

[klaus@odyssey]

Hi Earl,

Just call me,

Klaus