[ManShear]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and have lots of questions I hope to get answered by searching through and posting to the Planar circle.

I currently have a pair of Magnepan .7is.  They are powered by an Emotiva BasX A300.  Preamp is an Emotiva T-100.  I also have a Rythmik L12 subwoofer.  Between the pre and power amp, I've got a miniDSP 2X4 HD with the Dirac Live upgrade. I use this to help integrate the sub and relieve the Maggies from doing some of the sub bass work.  I've upgraded the miniDSP power supply to an iFi PowerX SMPS. I've got all Golden Gate/Red River AudioQuest interconnects.  My speaker cables are Monoprice Monolith speaker cables with banana plugs.

Sources are a Rega P3 turntable with an Elyse 2 cart.  This goes through a Cambridge Solo phono stage.  My digital source is a Raspberry Pi 3b with a HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro hat with an upgraded linear power supply going through a Denefrips Ares II DAC.   I'm using Roon with the core on an iMac with the RP3 working as a Roon endpoint. I'm mainly using Qobuz, but also have a pretty good digital library and about 400 vinyl (about 300 of which are inherited from my dad and grandfather).

My next steps are to upgrade the power amp and or pre amp.  I'm also looking to possibly upgrade the crossovers and connectors on the Maggies.  However, I'm not very experienced with soldering...

Thanks!

[SteveFord]

What's your room size and how loud do you listen?

[johnto]

I would be looking for a used Parasound Halo integrated it has everything, sounded great with my 1.7 and sub.

[ManShear]

What's your room size and how loud do you listen?

Hi Steve,

Thanks for asking, it is 13.5 X 12.5 with the back wall (where the speakers are) being the 12.5' wall.  There are a few other things to consider.  Right of the listening position is a 6' grand piano with the narrow part in the farthest right corner from the speakers and the widest part sticking out from about the middle of the right wall.  This pushes the speakers over to the left of center.  The speakers are a little more than 3.5' from the back wall and the right speaker is about 5' from the right wall and the left speaker is about 1.5' from the left wall.  The widest part of the piano is around the first point of reflection for the right speaker.  The left wall has a "French door" opening (no doors, just an opening) to a 16 X 13.5 dining room and that opening begins about where the speaker is positioned. So there is no equivalent first point of reflection for the left speaker.  To compensate, I have a music stand that mirrors the widest part of the piano.  The front wall (behind the listening position) has another "French door" opening (again, no doors, just an opening) to a 9 X 15 foyer with a staircase going to the second floor.   

I normally listen at around 75 to 80db.

Anybody using class D mono blocks to drive their Maggies?  I'm looking for holographic sound and heard Class D isn't what you want.  Just wondering if anyone has had luck getting holographic sound with Class D. I'm looking at the PS Audio M700s or M1200s.

Thanks!

[Craig B]

Welcome!

I also have the Maggie .7s (note that there is no .7i), and for their first year I powered them with a BasX A-300, too. It was a great combination, but I ended up trading it (and an old Adcom GFP-710 preamp) to PS Audio on a pair of their M700 monoblocks. They are incredible with the Magnepans. One of the best upgrades I've ever done.

[SteveFord]

I can't be much help there, I use tube amps which do have that holographic sound.
That's why I use them.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

We had a pair of M700's.  Had to return them due to ground loop issues.  The M700's would be great with the Maggies.  Consider a  tube preamp.  I own the 1.6's and MMG's.  Talk to GR research about crossover upgrades.  I run a Pass X250 with my 1.6's and use a BAT tube preamp.

Keep in mind that a crossover upgrade will change the sound not necessarily better.

[brooklyn]

Welcome

I use a pair of .7’s with a class-d Bel Canto REF 500S amp which provides ample power in my 12X18 listening room. My combo of choice for the Maggies has always been a SS Amp with a Tube Preamp.  At my age, I don’t want to be jacking around with a heavy amp anymore so IF I’m sacrificing a smidgin of sound quality to have a quality lightweight d-Class amp. Count me in..

I think the Maggies provide a holographic sound to begin with, that’s why they’ve been my speaker of choice for many years. I would think the placement of the speakers would provide more impact with the type of sound you’re looking for. My speaker position is 3 feet from the front and side walls.. I get a pretty good sound stage sitting near field at 8 feet from the speakers. Sounds holographic to me.

[Tyson]

If you're looking at Class D, then I highly recommend the Digital Audio Company (DAC) Cherry or Maraschino's, they are the best class D I've heard, really excellent sounding amps.  The fact that they are reasonably priced and a respected long-time vender here on AC is also very cool.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I did find the M700's holographic,way more so than a Parasound A21 it was supposed to replace.  A lot depends upon your preamp,  DAC and TT/phono pre.  If you want an extreme holographic sound with great transparency, consider an Exogal Comet plus DAC.  The sound was like you had surround sound.  The PS Audio Direct Stream DAC is another one that is very transparent and holographic.

[ManShear]

Welcome!

I also have the Maggie .7s (note that there is no .7i), and for their first year I powered them with a BasX A-300, too. It was a great combination, but I ended up trading it (and an old Adcom GFP-710 preamp) to PS Audio on a pair of their M700 monoblocks. They are incredible with the Magnepans. One of the best upgrades I've ever done.

Hi Craig,

I saw your post on the Planar Porn page...  Your set up there looks a lot like mine.  Even got the Poang chair and ottoman...  How much of an improvement are the M700s over the A300?  Did soundstage get wider and deeper?  Did it improve bass performance (what class D is known for)? I notice with my current set up that the mids can be a bit muddy if the tune is fairly complex in those frequencies.  Do the M700s clear that up? 

I'd also like to know an answer regarding some of the other comments regarding holographic sound, especially from brooklyn.  Does brooklyn's comment basically indicate that I am probably already getting holographic sound since the Maggies do it well to begin with?  Meaning, should I set myself up for not necessarily disappointment, but at least not as great a performance boost in that area as I might be expecting?  I've already got a set up that makes the "speakers disappear" for the most part.  I guess I need a lesson in what all these esoteric terms mean.  For instance, what is the difference between Soundstage and Holographic Imaging?  Some explanations almost make it seem like they are synonymous.

Thanks everyone for the welcoming words and help so far!

[mr_bill]

I don't have Maggies (would love to have a pair again) but I just picked up a PS Audio S300 and it is very spacious sounding - which I love.  Maybe the M700 monos are even more so!

[dwmaggie]

I have the Maggie 1.7i s and use only the Digital Amplifier Company Cherries.  I have 4 different DAC amps 1 Desktop, 1 Megaschino, and 2 Maraschinos, all at 200wpc.  Tried the big JBL Synthesis S800 and Accurus A200 amps and they never seemed right.  The Cherries just get everything right.  As for soundstage and holographic, my musician friends are constantly amazed they can pick out the instruments and their location, height and depth. The 1.7i s are about 5 foot from back wall and 3 foot from side wall.  I also use 2 Magnepan DWMs to augment bass. The DAC Cherries come in many flavors; suggest you get the 200wpc version.  I have also tried 125wpc and 150wpc amps and they sound restricted with Maggies.  PM if you have any other questions.

[dB Cooper]

Keep in mind that a crossover upgrade will change the sound not necessarily better.

When is an upgrade not an upgrade? When it's just 'different', not 'better'. That's a 'sidegrade' and we've all been there

[audiobliss]

I have .7s coming,  I will be changing out the binding post,  but probably won't mess with the crossover. I did it all years ago with mg12s and mmgs, and it wasn't worth the trouble. Also from what I hear now, the crossover is designed differently  and not as easily  biwireable.
I will be driving them with a McIntosh MC 7270.