Unfortunately I can only help you with half question. Concerning using one or two Nuforce pairs to drive big Maggies, you should try. I guess one will be enough, but two will do no harm, it will depend how big is your room and how loud do you like to hear your music, but no drive problems. I was expecting to listen to this combination on the Munich high-end show in the Taurus room, but the 20.1 were amplified by Jeff Rowland (Ice power) monoblocs without great results.
As to sound, the Nuforce and Magnaplanar is one of those marriages made in heaven.
I always sought that the best way to drive them (at least the intermediate models like 1.6; 2.7; 3.6) was with powerful tube amplifiers, like C.J and AR, and in fact I had wonderful experiences with them.
But prepare to be amazed (I was, after 15 years of owning this speakers); what Nuforce amplifiers (9 and 9SE) make with them is jaw dropping. They become ultra fast, high-resolution devices without loosing Magneplanar wonderful sense of communication and soul. Add to a lot of wonderful things, speed, extension, articulation and control on the bass that is unbelievable (everybody know that this aren’t on the panel strongest achievements list). If something is not right, will not be from the amplifiers or speakers, look elsewhere (is an easy search, so revealing to changes the system will be).
I cannot recommend it high enough, do your self a favor and take them home to listen.
(Sorry for my English)
