Emotiva XPA-100 with Magnepans

[jeff]

My first post ever, anywhere! I'm a Magnepan fan. That being said, I just upgraded from the MMGs to the 1.7s and added 2 bass panels (DWM). I also use their center, 4 wall mounts for the L/R and Rear surrounds (MMGW) and 2 Klipsch Synergy 10" subs in opposite corners of a room that is 22 X 13. When I first hooked up everything, even at medium volumes my Yamaha RX-V765 would shut off. So, I added 2 XPA-100 monoblocks to the Yamaha Pre-Outs to run the front Maggie 1.7s and bass panels. WOW! Admittedly, I'm no expert on all this, but I'm quite happy with the setup.

I listened to Dianna Krall - Live in Paris DVD and the clarity at high volume is amazing! You can actually hear her lips open when she begins to sing. Sounds weird to say, as I typed that comment, but it really is amazing! Then I listened to Donald Fagen's Nightfly (my all time favorite album) in Straight mode and the speakers sounded 20 feet tall! I am doing the happy dance!

Next, I wil probably add an Emotiva 5 channel to run the Center and surrounds. Not sure if I want to go monos for all of these. Maybe a Pre Amp is in my future and dump the Yamaha Receiver.

Conclusion: For the money, I can't imagine much better sound. I hope my neighbors agree!

[pedrocols]

I use two UPA-1s and I am quite happy with the set up.

[novisnick]

Welcome to our lounge,and now it's yours also. I hope I'm not overstepping. Spend you $ and the amps and pre amp, my thoughts. Run the Yamaha into the ground! Wich is hard to do, but I think it will get it done for now.. Agin welcome.

[leonski]

Too bad the 1.7s can't be biamped as easily as my 1.6s, which will eventually have a PAIR of XPA-1L amps PER speaker.   Eventual goal includes a Line Level active crossover.  

[stustan]

Sept 17, 2013 20:04:51 GMT -5 jeff said:

Next, I wil probably add an Emotiva 5 channel to run the Center and surrounds. Not sure if I want to go monos for all of these. Maybe a Pre Amp is in my future and dump the Yamaha Receiver.

Conclusion: For the money, I can't imagine much better sound. I hope my neighbors agree!

I have my XPA-5 driving my almost all Maggie system: 1.7's for LR, CC5 w/ DWM for Center, MC-1's for surrounds, and a Rythmik F12 for a sub. UMC-1 is my processor and all told I could never, ever, ever be happier.

[klinemj]

jeff - Welcome! And congrats on the new amps and the 1.7's. I think the 1.7's are magical and if you get the amps to drive them - you get that magic. Sounds like you found a great combo.

See you around the lounge!

Mark

[garbulky]

Hi Jeff! Sounds exciting! I may get to audition maggie 1.6's coupled to an XPA-2 sourced by a DC-1 soon. I'm looking forward to it.

[leonski]

The 1.6s present an opportunity which is going away in the Magnepan line.......with the x.7 series.
The opportunity?  Easy to Biamp.   While the XPA-2 probably has enough power, a PAIR of stereo amps in a vertical biamp mode would be killer.
Using a preamp with bass management and a powered sub would be icing on the cake and remove some of the load on the bass amp.   IM distortion between drivers
would pretty much be a thing of the past, too.
Going forward, with a biamp situation, it would be fairly easy to calculate and build either a line level or active crossover which goes between the preamp and the main amp.  At that point, a little surgery is in order as you remove or disconnect the speakers crossover.    
The bad news is increased cost.  The good news is needing somewhat less amp power per amp.
My 'cost no object' emotiva solution is 4x XPA-1L.  You could start with a pair of 'em, too and later add the other pair.  Watch preamp output impedance so when you split it you don't go too low on the amp side.   I suspect you'd spend much of your time in 'A' with minor bumps to AB.  
The 1.6s easily biamp with the removal of the jumpers.  The fuse remains part of the tweeter circuit unless you bypass or perform another mod.