Amp for the 3.7's: 28B SST2 or MC601? Others?
 

I am looking at upgrading the amplification for my 3.7's. I currently use the MC452 and notice that even this mighty amplifier is working hard with these speakers when playing loud or when the music has great dynamic swings. My preamp is the Mac C2300. I was considering the MC601's or the Bryston 28B SST2's. Anyone with experience with these amp/speaker combinations? Other powerful amps that have been found to be good matches? Thanks, my friends!

Sanders MagTech amplifier would be my choice.

Magtech Amplifier

My room is not that large. I think around 18 foot by 20 foot with a cathedral ceiling. I also have two JL F110 subwoofers which really bumps up the low end. With my MC601 amps, even when I am feeling wild and crazy, I don't get much above 60 watts which for me is plenty loud. I am surprised the MC452 doesn't have enough power. You are no doubt using the 4 ohm taps on your MC452? Dumb question I know…

Thanks for the link. Interesting design.

Ditto. I have heard good things about this company. I'll have to give them a call.

The monoblocks look especially interesting. No worries about power with that amp.

The Bryston 28B SST^2 are absolute brutes that possess wonderful finesse. They are magical on my Futura's :music:

not knowing of your budget but I am knowing of how well PASS amplification works with Maggies !!

Maggies are often paired up with Bryston.....may want to email James Tanner I think he has had a fair amount of time with Maggies......They are often showing together at show events too.....

I am very surprised that your MC452 is having difficulty driving your 3.7s. I use MC601's to drive my front 20.7's and, like you, the MC452 to drive my rear 3.7's. It is very rare for the average power level of the MC452 channels to exceed 100 W. As I have mentioned in another post the MC601 uses the same printed circuit board as the MC452. The MC452 PCB is not fully populated with the On Semiconductor ThermalTrak transistors (has 5/6 th of them) and at the level of the PCBs is actually nominally 500 W per channel (if the MC601 is considered to be 600 W).

Having owned those speakers, I would go with 601's or preferably 1.2kw's. They gobble up power like no other speaker I've ever owned (even more than my current speakers). The Bryston amps are excellent too....but unless your room is small, go for sheer power the 3.7's crave....go for the 1.2kw's. Ivan owns both....maybe he can advise you which is best for the 3.7's.