Sanders Magtech Amp or Bryston 4B-SST2 4 Mags 3.6

I'm new to Audiogon so excuse me for infringing on any rules, but to me one of the great things about Audiogon is to do research before one makes a decision. I agree, in a perfect world, I would have a stereo dealer in my town who would let me borrow different amplifiers to pair with my speakers. I would have a dealer who would take back the Mag 3.6's if they didn't work. But from my limited experience, that doesn't seem to be the case any more. And if I buy a Bryston and don't like the sound, I would then have to go through the process of selling it. Why not tap this vast community of knowledge first? Thankfully, many people have been generous with their time and experience. I'm also still not familiar with how to access some of the past threads, but I'm learning how to do that more every day. Laurence

"If I owned any electrostatic speakers I wouldn't hesitate in getting an amplifier designed by one of the premier electrostatic designers of our time "

If so then you must consider Spectron Audio Musician III amplifier. It has been designed by John Ulrick co-founder (w/A. Nudell) of famous Infinity.

My speakers while not electrastatics are extremely power hungry Sasha by David Wilson - the most power hungry speakers in his line. I own pair of Musician monoblocks and I enjoy musicality, finesse of the sound. These amps provide efforless presentation, huuuuge dynamic range and furious slam - exactly what I hear in the concert hall.

I know many owners of Maggies 3.6 and 20 etc are also have these amazing amplifiers and also immensely happy with them.

Mike

Michael, you bet. After reading Sanders white paper his Magtech has many of the attributes class D switching amplifiers minus any of the RF emissions they seem to produce. This one issue has been addressed by many switching amplifier designers by various means but the basic high speed switching is the nature of the beast and that is still happening. Unless someone can explain to me how they've eliminated the RF completely then it's just a band aid.

Another compelling attribute of the Magtech's regulation is its ability to maintain voltage from AC mains. Considering all the money we invest in our systems we're forced to feed it crap for power like putting kerosene in a Ferrari.

I'm so not a fan of electrostatics but to be honest Sanders has a whole system approach worked out which I haven't heard. I'm also taken by all of his white papers but I'm typically a sucker for sensible sounding theory from someone with a substantial reputation.

Ldwort, Riley is right but it has become very difficult to audition equipment even in a large urban area. My suggestion would be to contact the manufacture and discuss auditioning. Some charge full price until it's returned or they may suggest someone in your area who owns the product and is willing to help you with an audition. Another switching amplifier that was designed for electrostatics and can be found used is H2O.

Thanks for all your responses. Here's part of a note I sent Riley04:
Yes, I've heard the 1.7's and 3.6's at the closest dealer. Note, Magnepan has a funny relationship with dealers (since I know an upscale stereo store owner who related his experiences in trying to become a dealer). Magnepan has very few dealers in the U.S. Only 8 in all of California. None in Nevada. One in Pennsylvania in some small town. One in the entire state of Colorado. It seems that all the local dealers (and by local, they seem to mean 100 miles or less -- even with an LA population of 8 million or more) -- have to approve of any new dealer. There's clearly no incentive for any dealer to want another one; ergo, so few dealers.

I'm a former professional musician. I love detailed music. I used to have Mag Tympanis in the 70's. Loved them. So did my cat who used to rip them apart with his claws and climb them like a tree and then jump off them. More than once he knocked them over. That was it for the Mags.

I listened to the Mags 1.7 and 3.6 at 6 feet in listening rooms about my room size. I need more detail than what I heard in the 1.7s (that's just me; I know they're great). The 3.6's are much closer to the detail I want. Both were driven by similar Mac amps/preamps. Some well known recording expert I know said I should even put the Mags closer to me -- eg, 3 feet away and use them like headphones and that the sound won't get that much louder with decreased distance on the Mags.

The local dealer emphatically would not let me take the speakers home and then return them (even if I paid for them).

I listen to everything from rock to Yo-Yo Ma to a ton of jazz to renaissance choral music so I need a speaker that can really handle an eclectic mix. I have a great sub (just picked up a JL Audio 112) so it's just the mids and highs that I need. If you know of another detailed, really alive speaker in the less than $8,000 range (this is my last big speaker purchase and that's all I have to spend, and that's stretching the budget big-time), please let me know.

The maggies aren't electrostatics. I have sanders stats, amps and preamplifier and it is the best sound I could hope for, for the money I spent. If you have to have the maggies, I would jump on the magtech. Maggies do not play quietly. They need juice, which sanders amp has. And they need to play loud.

Good luck with whatever you do.