McIntosh MC1502 with Magnepan?

[miatadan]

I know that high power SS are suggested as best match for Magnepan speakers.

Considering that tube power amplifiers continue to improve, would the new MC1502 have issues driving the Magnepan 0.7 speakers?

Right now using the MC312 and rarely using more than 30watts per channel.

Thoughts from those with McIntosh tube amplifiers be appreciated.

Dan

[miatadan]

Guessing no one on this forum using power amplifier with tubes?

The McIntosh MC1502 is 150 watts per channel, sells for $11,000 US dollars.

Would 150 watts per channel be enough power ?

Dan

[Formerly YB-2]

A friend drives his 2.3s with a pair of Luxman 3045 monoblocks. Think they are 35wpc and they sound sublime in his smallish room. All depends on what you feel you are missing and what you are trying to achieve. How large is your room?

[FreddieFerric]

I had a pair of 1.7's for 6 years. At first I tried to drive them with a 65 watt Jolida tube integrated. They sounded somewhat flat and lifeless. I was then able to acquire a pair of Musical Fidelity 550K Superchargers that produced 750 watts into the 4 ohm Maggies. That's what they needed...POWER!

Those Maggies were power hungry hogs. I'd suggest you go with as much amplification as you can possible afford. The MC 462 would be a good start. JMHO.


Disclaimer. I have not heard the .7's so I really can't say, but if they have the Maggie DNA they'll want power as well.

[joel_hifi]

Dan,

I cannot comment about Magnepan with McIntosh tube amps but I can share the following experience.

I have been driving Maggies 1.7i with an integrated PrimaLuna Dialogue Two (KT88s) rated 38 Wpc in UL mode, to good satisfaction/musicality.

My good friend has been driving his pair with an integrated Doge 5 (EL34s) rated 30 Wrms/ch in Class AB mode, also to his liking.

I also found a good match driving them with a Pass Labs XA30.8 rated 30 Wpc in Class A.

But I got the most satisfying result - to my ears - driving the Maggies with a higher powered Class AB stereo amp combined with a tube preamp.
In my case the Goldmund Telos 280 rated 215 Wrms/ch (dynamics, detail) with the Nagra Jazz or Ayon Stealth (midrange, involvement).

I'm assuming the MC1502 rated 150 Wpc should have enough juice for the .7s

Maybe an alternative worth considering, at a substantially lower price point, would be the integrated hybrid MA352 rated 200 Wpc? Maybe a nice way to get the best of both worlds?

Magnepan make very good speakers, there are many ways to enjoy them, have a great journey with yours

All above ratings into 8 ohm.

[Boatheelmusic]

I'm running two mc275s in monoblock mode, so 150 wpc into Maggie 3.6/Rs. My room is 40x18x20, or 14,400 cu ft.

No problem whatever with any aspect of dynamics, bass, imaging etc.

I'm confident just one MC275 would get the job done admirably.

[tdotson41]

@miatadan - I’m currently running a ARC REF-210 with 20.7’s without any problem. My room is 16W x 25.4L x 9.5H. I hope this helps.