The B&K EX-442 Sonata is a wonderful sounding amp in your price range that is extremely tube-like. It is 200 into 8 ohms and 360 into 4 ohms, 75 amps. IMO, sonically it is a definite upgrade from the Adcom if you like the sweetness of tube gear. I believe there is currently one available on another website. I had one many years back (and I also owned the B&K ST140) and if I needed a lot of power, this is the amp I would buy again without hesitation. Highly doubtful you'd find anything as musical and powerful at this price.
Amp for Magnepan MMGs
Please comment on the following options for driving a new pair of Magnepan MMGs:
1) Repair and maybe mod Adcom 555 and matching preamp (original 1980s equipment I think)
2) Behringer EP 4000 for $350 new. I am assuming I will need a preamp of some kind, would the Adcom work?
3) Denon 700 AV receiver for $399. Would use MMGs as L/R for 5.1 eventually
4) Other amps (tube or solid state) for $400. Have read that Magnepan prefers their speakers with tubes, but haven't seen any tube amps in this price range.
Sources will include CD and iPod. Music preferences are folk, 60s rock, female vocals, a Capella.
Have previously owned 3.6s but never powered them properly.
Will be putting these MMGs into my condo living room ( a 13x20x10 box). Sliding glass door takes up one of the narrow ends, pass through to kitchen and a hallway take up the other. Room will contain sectional sofa, desk and large chair. Floor is laminate, will have area rug down. Walls are drywall. Understand that 3 to 4 feet from walls is best, so thinking of placing speakers that distance forward of the sliding glass door wall, but am open to other suggestions.
1) Repair and maybe mod Adcom 555 and matching preamp (original 1980s equipment I think)
2) Behringer EP 4000 for $350 new. I am assuming I will need a preamp of some kind, would the Adcom work?
3) Denon 700 AV receiver for $399. Would use MMGs as L/R for 5.1 eventually
4) Other amps (tube or solid state) for $400. Have read that Magnepan prefers their speakers with tubes, but haven't seen any tube amps in this price range.
Sources will include CD and iPod. Music preferences are folk, 60s rock, female vocals, a Capella.
Have previously owned 3.6s but never powered them properly.
Will be putting these MMGs into my condo living room ( a 13x20x10 box). Sliding glass door takes up one of the narrow ends, pass through to kitchen and a hallway take up the other. Room will contain sectional sofa, desk and large chair. Floor is laminate, will have area rug down. Walls are drywall. Understand that 3 to 4 feet from walls is best, so thinking of placing speakers that distance forward of the sliding glass door wall, but am open to other suggestions.
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- 6 posts total
- 6 posts total