| Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
March 25, 2012 - 10:13pm
#1
From the beginning...
| Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | |
Analog Sources Accessories Featured | |
Music Columns Retired Columns | |
Show Reports | |
Features Latest News Community | |
Resources Subscriptions |
© 2024 StereophileAVTech Media Americas Inc., USA
All rights reserved
IMO there are few if any receivers that can do any Maggy justice. Maggy's are a 4 Ohm load that need plenty of current. Most receivers aren't capable of supplying enough current at 4 Ohms to make them sing. I suggest an integrated amp or preamp/power amp with an HT bypass switch. This would allow you to use the Maggy's directly connected to a preamp/power amp or integrated. You could then use a separate pre/processor. The front line level outputs from the preamp/processor would connect to the HT bypass input on the stereo preamp. It and a power amp would drive the front speakers. A different power amp would be connected to the surround processors rear line level outputs. You would connect all HT/MC sources to the preamp/processor. All two channel sources would connect directly to the two channel preamp.
With this setup you have pure two channel stereo. Hit the bypass switch turn on the surround processor and rear amps/speakers and you have surround sound.
This is my own solution to the dilemma. I have a Lexicon MC8 processor connected to an ARC SP-9 preamp. The SP-9 drives a pair of bi-amped esl's. In bypass mode the Lexicon drives my front power amps along with the rear amps and speakers.
For two channel the signal goes from a source to my ARC preamp to the front amplifiers and speakers. The surround processor, speakers and amplifiers don't need to be turned on.
It's almost a given that you'll want a subwoofer if you go with MMG's.
Take a look at the Emotiva two channel preamp and power amps.
@ Joe
So what you recommend is instead of a receiver (with surround speakers)->amp-->MMGs; a setup along the lines on Processor->amp for MMGs +amp for surround-->respective speakers? This is an intriguing idea, and exactly why I came here. I just fear that this setup would put me way over my 2k budget, I haven't seen any processors cheap enough to fit in there, though I have only given them a glance. The Lexicon seems to be out of both production (again, I would like to stay with new components, more so because I am fretful of used condition), and is most likely out of my price range anyway. Can you suggest any other entry-level processors or any reliable locations to look for them?
As far as Emotiva, the XPA-3 is the smallest model I would feel comfortable with, and it is 200w x 3 channels (a boost to 300w @ 4-ohm). Would this allow me to power a complete HT setup(5.1 is fine with me), forgoing the need for dual amps? With that much power could I conceivably build a system with more Maggies, say 2 MMGW and a center MMGC with that amp alone? Also, as a comparison shopper, any similar models with this 3-channel capability would be greatly appreciated.
list and then make the plunge knowing that you have 30 days to evaluate it before you can return it if it does not meet your needs. The UMC-1 is a capable AV preprocessor, but you could also look into a competent AV receiver with the desired processing capabilities and preamp outputs. That way you could power your frontstage (Mains and center) with an XPA-3 and use the AV receiver to power the surrounds. The Onkyo TX-NR709 for $480 from Accessories4Less would work pretty well, even running two surround channels into the MMGW's 5 Ohms. If you are getting an all Maggie system I'd recommend a sealed, servo-controlled, low-Q subwoofer like a Rythmik.
You could also look into the Emotiva UMC-1 AV processor, a USP-1 stereo preamp, an XPA-3 for your fronts and center, and a mini-X a-100 for the surrounds. This way you could use the HT bypass features of the UMC-1 and USP-1 when you listen to two channel music.
Okay, thank you for the rundown on the diferent model numbers and what everything could (should may be a better term) be used for, that's really one of my problems. I understand the theory behind receivers, amps, and speakers, but the actual "I need this to do that" is a bit less obvious reading about each component separately.
Anyway, I've been reading up on Emotiva products and general, and they seem to have a very mixed reputation. Looking around, they seem to give great bang for your buck, but I'll have to listen for myself. Until then, I'm going to continue to explore my options. At least now I believe I can get whatever I decide upon into a working configuration.
I would suggest that you consider using a Vincent SP-331 amplifier to drive the Magneplanars.
This is a far better amplifier than the others mentioned and will sound great (The Absolute Sound designated it Amplifier of the Year in 2010); it runs $1300...a steal at the price.
I am assuming that you do not have have outputs from your current equipment to drive an external front-channel amplifier.
I recommend that you get an Onkyo TX-NR709 receiver, which is a very good receiver with preamp outputs for all 7.2 channels and has good amplifier power for the other channels plus lots of other features (for around $600 from Amazon or ?).
BTW...I strongly recommend against using ANY center-channel speaker with the Magneplanars; it ruins the imaging they are noted for.