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Best Amp with Magnepan 3.6's

Greetings - I currently own a pair of Magnepan 3.6's and am looking for any suggestions on an amp that would help me get the volume/sound I am missing.
My current systems is as follows:
Magnepan 3.6's
Rotel 1057 preamp
Rotel 1080 (200x2) amp
NAD 525BEE CD player
JL audio F110 sub
Transparent interconnects, and cables
As you can imagine I am not getting near the volume I would expect out of these 3.6's because of the limited power of my Rotel amp. I have researched different amplifiers and have it narrowed down to 2 (although I'm still open to suggestions). I've been looking into a Bryston 4B SST or a McIntosh MC402.
I would greatly appreciate any input or suggestions you may have. Thanks in advance.
gbowman11
gbowman11 OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for the info Elizabeth, you confirmed what I have heard from others and I am definitely leaning towards the Bryston, but now its between the 4b sst and the 14b sst. Not sure if the 4b sst would give me enough power. Seems to be almost double the price (here on the Gon), and I don't know how much different the sound will be or how much more volume/base I would be able to pull out of the 14b sst that I wouldn't get from the 4b sst.
I really appreciate everyone’s input... thanks.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The 14B-SST is a stereo version of the mono 7B-SST. The 14B-SST cost new about the same as a PAIR of the 7B-SST.
The 7B-SST cost for each mono amp the same $$$ new as the Stereo 4B-SST. (thus twice the price for a pair).
I would hazard a guess that the 7B-SST each chassis is really pretty much a 4B-SST designed to be one amp. (where the 4B-SST can be bridged, but ONLY for use into 8ohms.. the 7B-SSt CAN BE USED into 4ohms like the Maggies, as can the 14B-SST.)
This long goofy explaination is just to let you know why the 14B-SST (and the pair of 7B-SST) are TWICE the price of the $b-SST
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Here are my ratings for amps with Maggie 3.6R's the I have actually had in my system:

1) Cary Audio CAD500 MB mono blocks (current)

2) Bryston 7Bsst

3) Innersound ESL 300 (sublime too)

3) Parasound JC-1's

4) Bel Canto Ref 1000's (not new version)

5) McIntosh 501's (not a good match)

6) all the othe.......

I am currently thinking of trying the Wyred 4 sound amps in a bi-amp configuration. Just to try and mess up a good thing I assume. I don't think I will sell the Cary's when I do that though, they are too good to let go of.
markwatkiss
476 posts
 
Me again.I owned 1.6's and 3.6's Bryston 4BSST and 14BSST series amps used at different times on both sets of Maggies.The 4B has sufficient push to drive the 3.6's.The 14,has more slam in the bass area,but in my mind not enough to justify the additional expense.Place those saved dollars in a tube pre amp.
ajackson1
156 posts
 
MacDad, Please sell me your Cary CAD 500MB LOL. I would not let go either. These have become like a rare commodity. I have been looking for a 2nd pair for weeks now and nope.

Enjoy.
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