[Tam Lin]

My audio system configuration is undergoing a change and my Trios would be unavailable for several days, at least. That would deprive me and my wife of the wonderful music we enjoy every day. To fill the gap, I retrieved my MG-IIIs from the shed where they had been stored since 2000. Would they still work? 

It is generally agreed, Magnepans need lots of power to sound their best, but all I have are SETs: 300B (8W) and 32B (20W). The Spectral DMA-100 that used to power them is long gone. The 300B didn’t do well. No bass. The 32B, on the other hand, was glorious. It’s an Art Audio Jota, low gain version, with KR VV32B, Duelund JDM coupling caps, and output transformers configured to match the high impedance of the Trios. The setup is not perfect. The low gain and impedance mismatch means it can’t play very loud and the left speaker buzzes at certain low frequency signals. But, the sound is so good I’m in no hurry to get the Trios hooked up. Full disclosure: The MG-IIIs have Wonder Caps and other mods that place them way above stock performance.

[BikeFi10]

Well dont feel bad about a short term music outage.
Became empty nester, upgraded my system, remodeled dedicated 20' x30' listening room, wife and I had our sweetspot chairs, enjoyed for a year then it all went in storage.

Fam members needed a place to stay. One year plus now.
Just using a streamer through old AV receiver and small Audio Monitor speakers.
Ive tried to recondition my ears, but been spoiled.

Surprised your MG-llls held up in shed. You must live in very mild climate. My 1.7i s would surely die in my shed with minus 20 to 105 degree temps.

[Jon L]

Art Audio Jota...Wonder Caps

Brings back memories to realize it's been 25+ years since Jota came out and 30+ since Wonder Cap!   

As far as Magnepans, it's like a drug because a good Maggie and good "normal" or "low power" amp hooks you with the seductive sound at low volume, but you thirst for more and more, and as soon as you turn the volume knob with any kind of music with bass, dollars fly out of your pocket 

[Markwatkiss]

Amps are like sex you can never get enuf.

[Tam Lin]

Surprised your MG-llls held up in shed. You must live in very mild climate. My 1.7i s would surely die in my shed with minus 20 to 105 degree temps.

Actually, they were first retired to a shed in New Mexico for a few years where temps dipped to the -20s and then they were moved to a shed in North Texas were summer temps are in the 100s. The temp inside the shed was undoubtedly much higher.
The Maggies sound so good I still haven't finished the planned work on the Trios. However, one of the Jotas sometimes has trouble powering on. I guess I'd better get to work.

[Tam Lin]

As far as Magnepans, it's like a drug because a good Maggie and good "normal" or "low power" amp hooks you with the seductive sound at low volume, but you thirst for more and more, and as soon as you turn the volume knob with any kind of music with bass, dollars fly out of your pocket

Very true. But I don't know any multi-100 watt SETs that are appropriate for domestic audio use. I don't need a kilo-watt heater in my living room.