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June 25, 2011 - 8:32am
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New System Suggestions - Need Some Help
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Consider Maggie's, the MMG runs $600 and sounds better than anything else near its price. I would bo with the NAD amp...
However, at your limits if you were considering $1000 speakers, why not instead add the extra $400 to your receiver choice for some additional power. The Maggies and you will appreciate it.
Thanks for the suggestions. I really appreciate it. I am ordering the Magnepan MMGs. They are exactly what I was looking for. As far as integrated amps go, what would be another choice that one would suggest instead of the three I mentioned?
Thanks for any help again... Also how important are speaker cables in all of this and what/where should I look for those.
Jon
I agree with jackfish and JIMV about MMG's and power. They like plenty of power. They also IMO sound better than anything else new for $600. Some, me included, would say up to $1000. The bass doesn't go really low. Adding a sub woofer (later) will fix that. Cheap sub's need not apply. A sub good enough for them will cost almost as much.
If you are not familiar with Maggie (planar) sound you will be, I hope, pleasantly surprised when you get them.
New Magnepan's need breaking in. The sound will greatly improve after the first 40 hours. There will be lesser continuing improvements until around 100 hours of use.
I'm of the camp that believes all wire and cable make a difference. Without going "esoteric", Blue Jeans Cable is worth a look for interconnects and speaker cables.
The MMG's need at least 40-50 watts of good power so reasonably priced tubes will not work. There are a lot of good integrated amps or receivers under $1000. Emotiva makes this amp/preamp combo
http://emotiva.com/xpa2.shtm
And it is on sale...
This is an amp alone so you will need some sort of a preamp...
http://emotiva.com/usp1.shtm
That brings the amp price up to about $1200 BUT, you saved money on the speakers and I can speak from experience and note that Emotiva gear is a flat steal at the price. It works well and is very musical. Note, the Preamp has a built in phono preamp as well.
Outlaw also makes good gear...
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html
Cables matter but spending a lot with a system of this quality is not necessary...these folk are very reliable.
http://www.usedcables.com/
Do not spend more than 10% of your budget on cables or power products.
the Emotiva USP-1 and a pair of UPA-1s. A Emotiva USP-1 and a pair of UPA-1s on sale right now for $1000 delivered. I had my MMGs modified by Peter Gunn, now they could be as good as anything for $5000, except for the bass. A good sealed subwoofer, preferably servo controlled can be added when you can afford one.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/MagnestandMMG1.jpg