Magnepan, How Low Can You Go...power-wise

be careful underpowering the 3.6s. you're more likely to to damage the ribbon tweeter from underpowering (clipping) than overpowering them.
From what I've read, the tweeter will fry with the tweeter fuse still intact.

Well, the maple-wood guy claims his modified small tube integrated amp (30 wpc?) can drive the 3.6. Interestingly when I've seen Magnepans at shows, the company bi-amps them with large Brystons (600 wpc?). That should tell us something.

Of course the usual considerations apply; size and furnishings of room, type of music played, preferred listening levels, etc. But my experience in listening to any model Maggie is they all have a minimum playback level where they come alive. Below that and they sound limited, as if the several veils reviewers talk about are still in place. So to me the question is not what is the smallest amp that can play Maggies, but what is the smallest powered amp that can make them perform at their potential?

Thomastrouble, I can tell you from much experience, that yes you can run Maggies 3.6r's with lower power amps, but you will not hear what they can do with those amps. They will be veiled and limited with almost no bass or impact.

If you are really keying on the smaller powered amp, you could get a different speaker that would do more for you.

The Vandersteen 3a comes to mind in that price range. With lower power amps as you want to use, you will get much better, cleaner, more open sound from the Vandy's.

I would also look at the Paradigm Signature S6, a great speaker that can be found in the same price range.

Or look for some really nice monitors that are more efficient.

You will not get what you want from Magnepan 3.6R's with low powered amps. Sound will come out, but not anywhere near what they are capable of.

Thanks guys.

Macdadtexas, thanks for the input. I realize that to make the Maggie 3.6s sing you need good power. What I am getting at is what is the lowest power amp you could use but still get GOOD sound - would 150w at 8ohm from a good integrated (Simaudio i7) cut it? The Vandersteens have definitely interested me but I have the opportunity to buy the 3.6s very cheaply in a country where I spend some months each year. If I had the same opportunity to pick up the 3a Vandees at a good price I would, but that is not going to happen in Brazil. The 3.6s belong to an american in Sao Paulo who can't justify dragging them back to the US, so is letting them go very cheaply.

Thomastrouble,

Assuming that you are going to double the power output of 150W at 8ohms as the 3.6 will present a 4ohm load which should increase power output of the Sim to close to if not 300W, based on this being solid amplification which the Sim is you should be fine running the 3.6's and your current Sim. If you felt the need for more power you could always add and external amplifier and use the Sim as more of a processor or if the ability is there you could actually use the Sim to power the highs or lows and an outboard amplifier to actually set up to biamp the speakers.