Maggie 1.7 amp

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Images

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Maggie 1.7 amp
« on: 30 Jun 2011, 08:14 am »
[I posted this earlier today in the solid state circle, but I think it more properly belongs here.  Thanks for your opinions.]

I am thinking about investing in some Maggie 1.7s.  I think to make the best use of these speakers, especially with the orchestral diet my system is accustomed to, I will need to upgrade from my CIA (Channel Islands Audio) D100s.  These are the first version of this amp, which uses a modified Hypex-sourced UcD180.  I do like this amp, but after five or so years, plus knowing the appetite Maggies have for current, I think it is time to move on.

I am considering:
Belles 150A Reference v2 ($2295)
Butler TDB 2250 ($2995)
Parasound Halo A21 ($2299)

I think the Butler is what I really want, but if I can spend less, that would be just fine.  The Belles is likely my second choice.  It and the Parasound are at the same price point.  Does anyone have any experience marrying these amps with Maggies?  Other suggestions in the $2K range are also welcome.  Thanks in advance.

Photon46

Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #1 on: 30 Jun 2011, 12:03 pm »
I'm not sure how much relevance my experience with the Belles 150A Hot and Maggie 1.6's have for later production products you are considering, but FWIW, the 150A/1.6qr. was mediocre at best. No image palpability, diffuse imaging, it just didn't sound very good at all. A PS Audio HCA-2 sounded so much more alive and real than the Belles there was no contest. Plus, it was a miserably unreliable amp and Dave Belle's service was very poor, didn't want to stand behind his products. One channel went out, it sat in his workshop for too long because he was on vacation, came back and the same channel instantly died again. Made me pay shipping again for the return and refused to admit any product shortcomings at all.

AVnerdguy

Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #2 on: 30 Jun 2011, 03:32 pm »
In the previous thread someone mentioned auditioning the AVA Fet Valve Ultra+ 550 hybrid vacuum tube amplifier (with double die option). It’s in the same price range as the others you listed and has a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. I have this amp and the Maggie 1.7s. I’m using an AVA AvaStar hybrid pre as well. Great combo.

I upgraded to this system last year. I purchased the pre first. I noticed an immediate change in the soundstage and detail of my previous system. I then bought the speakers last summer because I always wanted Maggies and the 1.7s were just coming on the market and were getting great reviews. I went for a listen and was sold. I was driving them with an Adcom GFA-5802 or 2 Hafler XL-280 (bridged mono) and upgraded to the Fet Valve shortly after the speakers were installed because I just wanted something new and I was so impressed with the hybrid pre that the hybrid amp sounded like the final piece of a great system.

The speakers are now well burned in. Overall, I would describe it as effortless power and exceptional detail. Great soundstage. No fatigue after long listening sessions. Acoustic material (piano especially) and female vocals are as good as I’ve heard. Even though Maggies are not the best at wall rattling levels I still get on them with rock material and satisfied with the levels and the amount of detail that I now notice on familiar recordings still amazes me.

I’m not familiar with the Butler but I did audition a Parasound Halo for a week or so. I personally prefer the AVA for the smooth fatigue free sound but the Parasound was very good as well. Perhaps a bit more forward and seemed to be a bit hotter on the high end. YMMV.

I’m sure that whatever amp you choose you will have a great sounding system as the 1.7s are fantastic speakers and a bargain as well. You may want to consider adding a sub as they are a bit light on the bottom if you like amplified music. For jazz combos with a nice upright bass I don’t use the sub but miss it when crankin’ on something that should be played LOUD.
« Last Edit: 30 Jun 2011, 09:36 pm by AVnerdguy »

Berndt

Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #3 on: 30 Jun 2011, 04:41 pm »
That price range has a used pass x250 included.
I've heard the butler and I would not buy one.
I've heard the pass and want one, not to mention they have profound customer service.
I am using an old Krell now just because the price was really right.
Magnepans are tough on amps. Most of the amps people have said work great on their magnepans did not work for me. I spent a long time rolling amps with maggies. I think amp selection is the most critical part of the food chain with them.

rollo

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Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #4 on: 30 Jun 2011, 05:13 pm »
  Over the years there have ben several matches in heaven for Maggies. Either Bryston or Audio Research have been the main stays for years. Plinius as well as Conrad Johnson [ SS]. 
   The key is voltage. Ya need some serious voltage to make the Maggies sing. Biampnin using the same amps with a Bryston 10B active crossover as well is a winning combo.
  In the end however only your ears will determine what amp in your room.  It is just that simple. Home audition " only" will be the deciding factoid.


charles

thunderbrick

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Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #5 on: 30 Jun 2011, 07:39 pm »
My vintage Moscode 300 sings with 1.6s in a nearly 6000 cubic foot room.  If I thought the Moscode could be bridged for mono I'd by another one.

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #6 on: 30 Jun 2011, 08:02 pm »
Any of the amps mentioned will work.  As I stated before the Parasound will work just fine although tubes and warmer sounding amps work best with Maggies.  I think that 250wpc or higher is really needed to bring out the dynamics.  Others may disagree.  Bear in mind I am not saying that you cant get good sound with lower wattage.  The Parasound will put out 400wpc at 4ohms.  That Van Alstine Fet Valve 550 with the double die option will put out over 500wpc at 4ohms supposedly.  The 550 will have a more liquid sound with more air and warmth while the A21 will have a better high end and bass control.  The A21 is a very fast paced amp. Although I have not heard the 550 with the double die option I did get to directly compare the standard 550 with the Parasound in my home.

What preamp and CDP or DAC are you using?

Images

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Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #7 on: 30 Jun 2011, 08:39 pm »
Thanks for you comments.  CD is Oppo BDP-83SE and the pre is a Modwright SWL 9.0se.  So, there is a touch of tubes with the Modwright.  It does seem to me that a tubed preamp mated with a solid state amp is the way to go.  At least that has been my practice in the past.  As one poster suggests, the Bryston / Maggie combo is well established.  I am a bit fearful that a Bryston, say a used 4BSST or even a 3BSST2, might be on the bright side.  That said, I listen almost exclusively to symphonic music, so the articulateness of the Bryston holds some appeal.

AVnerdguy

Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #8 on: 30 Jun 2011, 08:52 pm »
Agree with I.Greyhound Fan - all of the amps should sound great. And as rollo stated the home audition is the only way to really decide what's best in your world. As a side note I liked the 1.7s so much I went and bought the 3.7s! I moved the Adcom GFA-5802 to sub duties and roll off at 80Hz with an external Xvr. Just a fill for those lowest freqs where I want a bit more ooomph.

ajzepp

Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #9 on: 3 Jul 2011, 05:27 am »
I'll throw out a vote for the Butler. I have a 2250 and a 5150 in a biamp configuration on my 3.6s. I discovered this amp five years ago when I still had my DeVore Super 8s (another amazing speaker). Before I went back to the Maggies, I contacted BK Butler to discuss the pairing and he said that he used to run shows with Jim Winey and they had the Maggies paired with Butler amps with great results.

I love the fact that it's a hybrid, cause I have the balls of solid state with just a touch of tube warmth, and the pairing is fantastic with the maggies. When I first bought the 3.6s, I was only using one channel of the 5150 (225 watts into 4 ohms) for each speaker and it did a great job. But biamping with with the channels of the 2250 handling the bass panels on each speaker has taken it to a new level. If the 5150 by itself did a great job for me, I'm sure you'll love how the 2250 does with your speakers.

Good luck!  :thumb:

PS. You can find the 2250 for far less than that if you want to go used. Check Audiogon for deals...I bought my 2250 from a fellow AC'er. They are built like tanks, so I'd have no hesitation buying another one that way.

geowak

Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #10 on: 3 Jul 2011, 05:46 am »
Images
I am in the same boat as you. I would like to get the 1.7s but I have a McCormack DNA-125 and I don't know if it's up to the challenge. I know SMc audio will upgrade it and I heard the sound is very sweet afterward, but it's very costly.

The Stock 125 will do 125 at 8ohms and 200 at 4ohms. I don't know what it will do after that.
I think the DNA-250 and DNA-500 would work. Also Clayton makes some powerhouse amps.

ClothEars

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Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #11 on: 16 Jul 2011, 09:10 am »
I am using Nuforce Ref 9 SE V3's with my 1.7's and find it a fantastic combo.
With 335W RMS into 4 ohms they provide plenty of grunt for the Maggies.
They would also match your Modwright pre very well - I've heard that combination and it sounds great.
A second hand pair is in your price range and well worth your consideration.

rw@cn

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Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #12 on: 16 Jul 2011, 01:07 pm »
Images
I am in the same boat as you. I would like to get the 1.7s but I have a McCormack DNA-125 and I don't know if it's up to the challenge. I know SMc audio will upgrade it and I heard the sound is very sweet afterward, but it's very costly.

The Stock 125 will do 125 at 8ohms and 200 at 4ohms. I don't know what it will do after that.
I think the DNA-250 and DNA-500 would work. Also Clayton makes some powerhouse amps.

I think the McCormack will work well as their amps are clean and sturdy. It should do well enough for you to enjoy the 1.7's.

trout2

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Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #13 on: 19 Jul 2011, 02:27 pm »
Used Pass X-250 or a used McCormack power-drive amp. If you can run a tubed pre-amp, all the better.

globalkiwi

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Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #14 on: 30 Jul 2011, 10:26 pm »
I'd cast my vote for the Parasound A21's.  I power my Maggies with a pair of JC-1s but I know a number of people are very happy with the A21/Maggie combo.

Randy

Re: Maggie 1.7 amp
« Reply #15 on: 30 Jul 2011, 10:31 pm »
Images - there is a super source of amplification right here on Audio Circle. Odyssey. Great amps, and great customer service. Their large amps have abundant amounts of current and will drive the Maggies beautifully.