I would suggest a subwoofer that is sealed, servo-controlled, with low Q. If you can't find a servo sub in your price range at least get a sealed sub.

The Adcom GFP-750 is a well regarded preamp, but really goes for a premium used. You will also need a phono stage if the preamp you get has no phono input.

The is an interesting Marchland passive preamp on AudiogoN right now for $90.

I am pretty sure I have a friend talked out of his Audible Illusions Modulus L1 pre amp so that is taken care of.

Thanks for the suggestion on a sealed sub...I did a lot of reading afrer your reply on the subject and your input defiditely narrowed the selections. Servo-controlled is out of my pricerange at this time so that narrowed it even more. I came up with a few that reportedly work well with Magnapans for under $200 on ebay. I am wondering if I could get more for my money building one? I have about $300 in budget and have racks of everything from rosewood to MDF in my shop so no material cost.

My main concern on the second rout would be building a good sub that doesn't work with my speakers. Any info pro's, cons and kits or plans for this rout would be appreciated.

Cheers

was able to afford a Rythmik F12: http://www.customanalogue.com/sub_index.htm

This DIY subwoofer will work very well with your Magnepans. The MGSS1 only goes down to about 125Hz so you will want to set the subwoofer to take frequencies below that.  Are those speakers 8¼"×45"×¾" and weigh about 14#? You can use the MAIN #2 preamp outputs on the Audible Illusions L1 to connect the subwoofer.

The Audible Illusions L1 does not have a phono stage, although it has a jack labelled EXT PHONO you will still need a phono preamp for it. The Technolink TC-760LC is a good one for $74. http://www.phonopreamps.com/TC-760LCpp.html

By the way here is my system:

13.3" MacBook Air, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, iTunes/BitPerfect
MacBook Air SuperDrive
Western Digital My Book Essential 2TB USB HD
Schiit Bifrost USB DAC
Emotiva USP-1, ERC-1 and two UPA-1s
Pro-Ject Xpression III and AT440MLa
AKAI AT-2600 and Harman Kardon TD4400
Grado SR80i
Magnepan MMG Magnestands
Rythmik Audio F12

I just got everything hooked up. Dont have the speakes in the ideal position yet and am running off aheadphone jack on the computer and the computer sub. I but am blown awaw by the impovement already! Cant wait to get he pre amp hooked up!!

Iam thinking of 2 DIY subs as mentioned above to round it out. I was on a budget but after my girlfriend heard what I have so far it has been lifted.

I was very concerned about the size of te Magnapans 8 1/4x45....thet is correct Jackfish. However they seem to do great if you fill in the bottom end.

BTW the pre amp came with a second box for the turntable but don't know what the brand is off hand.

The specs on the subs call for MDF. Does it make a negatine difference using solid wood? I am thinking Wenge and have enough to do two subs But can veneer if MDF is better. Just a bit more work.

radiate them. Hence, for speaker enclosures MDF is usually preferred. Band-It is really easy to use for great looking veneer.

I am trying to set somthing up that will not need to be messed with once completed aside from opgrading the magnapans and swaping for better components. The layout will remain the same...I know it is not ideal but it is in the living room and I have to work with conceeling things and over all looks as well as sound quality. I am limited my a strong opposition to seeing speakers by the gal cofunding this. I dont have much interest in surround so this will be a 2 channel flanking the TV. I am builsing a cabinet that will be floating..attached to the wall about 8 ft long. I am thinking of building the 2 subs into the cabinet as per spec on size on eithor end of the cabinet. My design would place the subs in ideal position based on the suggestions by the designer but they are sitting in the open in his design. Is this doable without killing the sound? I have attached 2 pics one of the room it is going into and the other with a ikea cabinet similar in size to the one that will be constructed with tape representing tv and speakers.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[IMG]http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx243/whtwter/IMG_0753.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx243/whtwter/IMG_0754.jpg[/IMG]

a side wall at about a 30 degree angle to serve as rear surround speakers. Placing them flat against the wall will cause undue distortion as the backwave will have nowhere to go but back into the driver. If at all possible mount them atop the cabinet with at least 12 inches behind them to the wall. There should be no problem building the subs into the cabinet as you describe as long as the amplifier has adequate ventilation.

I was going computer in and switched to a temporary pre amp...HK Sitation17S. The room has changed as well as the pre amp I have the speakers 12" off the wall and they sound very bright. I had the same problem with the previos set up but not as noticeable. I am wondering if it is most likely the room or adding the pre amp? Also how much of the gap will the subs fill and how much of a difference will I get upgrading to MMG's? This will still have the cabinet changed and I am planning on building the subs in on eithor end.

In the picture the speakers are about 4" from the wall but they are on a arm so they can be pulled up too 18" from the wall and I have tried a variety of positions.

Cheers.

to about 125Hz sound less "bright".  MMGs might have a more difficult time dealing with placement close to the back wall, but they are a much better speaker than what you have.

Thanks for the input and taking time to answer questions! well the budget got blown but I am happy with the way things are turning out. I ended up going with a Rythmik 12 diy kit and am building it into the center of wenge entertainment console. Swapped the speakers for a pair of SMG's wich are currently stripped and getting a Wenge frame and new crossovers...they will be wall mounted with a custom arm that allows them to be pulled out into listening position. The guy helping me with the entertainment center legs will be welding up the arms but we are waiting till everything is set up to play around with placement and be sure they can reach where they need too. Also picked up a REK-O-KUT belt drive TT and am building a plinth that will occomodate the 2 tone arms I have. 1 Infinity Black Widow and 1 Grace G-714. I am going to need to figure out a different amp now, the Adcom clipps fairly quickly with the smg.

into 4 Ohms which is marginal at best for the SMGs. I would be looking for something which outputs 200 or more watts per channel into 4 Ohms to really let the SMGs sing. Will the driver for the DIY Rythmik be facing the rear of the cabinet?

Looks like black walnut in the pictures.  Whatever it is I love the wood work.  Nice job.

I Followed the directions on there website for the enclosure volume and and hight off the floor so I am hoping for the best! I would say marginal os the adcom would still be a stretch, I only hooked it up for a day and aside from clipping I was getting speaker slap wich I originaly thought was loos wires. I have not used it since in fear of damaging the speakers and am on the lookout for a new amp.

Thanks Lamont,The lighting was relly affecting the pictures it is darker and definitely looks like wenge in person but I though the same thing in the pictures.

to the plans for the woofer enclosure. The guys at Rythmik melped me modify the dimentions to work in my cabinet and said it as long as the volume remains the same it should operate as planned. http://www.rythmikaudio.com/download/DS1200s_sub_plan.pdf

keep us posted!

Picked up a needle for the Rek-O-Kut this afternoon a lower end Oftofon. Having a few issues and wondering if anyone else has run into anything similar? Some albums sound great while others have no bass at all! On the records that have no bass if I roll between the right and left channels I will get great sound amd bass in r or l but tinny in between. I have the cartridge mounted on fairly long bolts toll O can pick up shorter aside from that enerything is aligned properly and the weight is set as recomended for the cartridge. Any thoughts?

This is the first time I have put a needle on a record in at least 15 yrs and I have to say I am enjoying myself very much!

BTW that is on the Rek-O-Kut S-120 tone arm.

I think I have the issue with the turntable sorted out but haven't had the time to do any repairs yet. Have to finish one thing at a time.