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Mark Levinson Gurus: Vintage Three Mile Island

I love my 23.5 but have been trying to purchase 20.5's or 20.6's for my Magneplanar Tympani IVa's -- mainly to have as many gigantic black boxes as I can to gaze happily upon in my living room. Sort of an anti-WAF design statement.

The dual chassis design alone is enough for me to justify the extra expense, but I would really appreciate hearing from any of you if you think there are significant sonic differences in these amps.

My one reservation if I sold the 23.5 would be the drop in power from 200 to 100 WPC for the Maggies, but perhaps the fully class A design would make that insignificant -- or even sound more powerful?

Or maybe the Vintage Levinson three mile island: TWO 23.5's, bridged, for the bass and a pair of 20.6 monoblocks for the mids/highs?

Any advice, especially within the context of my Tympanis and SP-11 MK II would be greatly appreciated.

Happy New Year.
cwlondon
sc53
689 posts
 
I love all the great vintage equipment you're using! Are you the original owner of all these classic pieces, or did you acquire them later, as a collector? I can only imagine how the Tympani's sound, I longed for a pair back in the mid 80's when all I could afford were B&W DM110 monitors. I've never forgotten the sound in that dealer's showroom. I can't advise on your mega-wattage options, I only use one amp per system, myself. I would love to see your living room, though!
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
No no, clearly what you need to do is get yourself a set of the older original Maggie 3-panel jobs and some external X-overs, and TRI-amp them, using a separate monoblock for each panel for a grand total of 6 amp towers plus 6 speaker panels, not to mention the X-overs, and then make sure to use networked speaker cables all around with 6 more big 'ol boxes hangin' off the garden hoses...(nothing "sort of" 'bout this design statement!)
cwlondon OP
1,198 posts
 
Delighted to see such enthusiasm for the anti-WAF design statement!

SC53, I am not the original owner of them, but I also longed for Tympanis and Levinson amps when they were out of my price range, so last year I assembled the retro high end system of my college daydreams.

And Zaikesman, I agree, triamped would be even better!

If anyone has any suggestions for fire hose sized speaker cables and especially -- the sonic and power differences between the Class A/B 23.5 stereo and the Class A 20.5 and 20.6 monoblock amps please let me know.
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