2. amps-preamps
  3. 128688-92999

Building an all analog system around Magnepan .7 for 4K and under

Dear Friends, 
My wife and I are professional musicians, and we are saving up for a system to listen to mainly classical and jazz on vinyl. I'm a jazz drummer, and she is a classical double bassist. The more realistic our system is to our real instruments, the happier we are. We will be using this in a medium/smallish 12' x 11' room. 

We will not need a dac, just speakers, amp, turntable. We prefer an integrated amp with a phono preamp, to keep the set up simple as possible but we can consider buying an external phono preamp,

I've read recommendations for for Rogue Sphinx and Pioneer Plx-1000 to go with this system, but I was wondering if there are any other suggestions for our needs. We are also open to set ups that we can build on in the future, Like buying a Nad C 375 BEE and bridging it with a C 275BEE couple of years down the road, or buying a subwoofer later. 

Thanks again for your input, 
Emre

128x128emremusic
doggma3119
1 posts
 
We've owned the .7's for more than a year and a half powered by Rogue Cronus Magnum (100 wpc) and also using a powered sub (sealed SVS SB1600), a modest pro-ject 1xpression turntable and pro-ject phono stage in a similar sized room and feel like whole exceeds the sum of the parts.  Have also had them hooked up to my vintage SS receivers (a G-8000 and KR-9050).  I prefer the tube sound personally with the vinyl though the SS sounds "tighter". Not sure the extra watts of the old receivers adds much in our smaller room but that's personal preference too. 

The mags do sound better with some room to breath but their light and slide easily so we pull them out when we're listening and push them back to the wall when we're not so they're out of the way and don't get trampled by the dogs or the kids. 
icanskate
20 posts
 
I have Maggie 1.7s. I went from a Rogue Cronus Magnum to a Rogue Pharaoh. As good as the Magnum is, the Pharaoh was far & away better. Then I went from the Pharaoh to a Prima Luna Dialouge Premium. Once again, the Prima Luna was a significant improvement across everything. I have a Nad 375bee coming to drive my home theater speakers (in the same room) and serve as a back up to drive the 1.7s. I will let you know the synergy. Note: I also use a sub in the system. I was using a Rel t7 sub, but it fried a diode. While it's down & I get around to ordering parts, I put in a PSB subwoofer. I'll be honest. I like the PSB much better... just sounds better. Go figure.
jfuquay
15 posts
 
I just auditioned .7s with the Sphinx and the NAD C368 at my local dealer.  I also listen primarily to classical, jazz and acoustic. The NAD was much brighter, too much so for my taste, so I went with the Sphinx. The Maggies have enough bass for me, and I've still never heard a speaker that reproduces a violin or piano or voice like they do.  The equipment hasn't arrived yet, but I will be using it with a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and Blue Jeans cables in a 14x17 room. You could certainly step up to a Rega TT and suitable cartridge and make your budget.

perazzi28's avatar
perazzi28
109 posts
 
One should not overlook a really good analog TT/TA setup that is somewhat new. Check out the following: 
The PolyTable SUPER 12 http://hifigem.com/PolyTableSUPER12.html
George Merrill has been making TT's since 1979 and this model is getting rave reviews. Easily besting TT's selling for $10K.
Best of luck
helomech
766 posts
 
Another option you might consider is getting one of the new tube preamps from Schiit Audio, like the Frea, then pairing it with a brute SS amp like a used Sunfire. You'd come in at around the same $$$ as a new Sphinx but with more power. 

I'm a fan of Maggies, but for a room that size, I highly recommend considering some nice 2-way monitors. You'd be surprised how good a soundstage such speakers can create in a small room. Kef LS50s or some Ascend Acoustics Sierras should work well in room that size. 

More to discover