harri009
Emo VIPs 
ReferenceAnalog.com
Posts: 1,425
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Post by harri009 on Oct 21, 2013 7:12:28 GMT -5
I don't know where you are located but there is a pair of 1.7's for sale in Arlington NY local pickup only for $1200 on audiogon. That's a crazy good deal.
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Post by pedrocols on Oct 21, 2013 9:13:25 GMT -5
Maggies like tubes, from what I've read. Most take the economy route - tube preamp + solid state power amp(s). I did it this way for a year or two. It's a great way to start with tubes IMHO, much better than a buffer. Lots of tube watts get expensive quickly. That's true enough that I can't directly argue with you. But my amps are 140 watts per channel costing about $2200 inc. shipping. I really don't think that's expensive. They drove my 87db 4 ohm Lsi15's extremely well. I'm sure they'd do fine on Maggies. ... I thought your amps were rated at 60 WPC. How come yours make 140 WPC? |
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Post by loudnoises on Oct 21, 2013 10:48:54 GMT -5
I don't know where you are located but there is a pair of 1.7's for sale in Arlington NY local pickup only for $1200 on audiogon. That's a crazy good deal. Appreciate it- am in Chicago, or I would would jump on it. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 9,992
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Post by KeithL on Oct 21, 2013 11:14:18 GMT -5
"Expensive" is relative..... An XPA-200 is 150 wpc x2 (240 wpc x2 into 4 ohms) and is $499 ($399 at the moment on sale); and a tube preamp or buffer can be had for about the same price as a solid state one. As for Maggies, tubes, and power..... Large Maggies do indeed like a lot of power; and Maggies tend to be rather low in impedance. This means that you REALLY need need an amp that can drive a low impedance speaker. The output transformer on a tube amp is used to match the impedance of the amp to the speaker; so you absolutely want an amp with a 4 ohm output tap - or even a 2 ohm tap - if you want to run Maggies well with tubes; I would be very dubious of a low powered tube amp doing the job, or one with only an 8 ohm output tap. On the upside, since Maggies are panels, they don't really need a lot of damping from the amp (which works out well since tube amps don't deliver much damping). Of course the power question all depends on how loud you want to play them  I'm not personally a huge fan of Maggies (they sound nice and "airy" with small ensemble stuff and some vocals, but to me they lack the sort of pinpoint imaging and the "punch" of other types of speakers). Beyond that, though, I got to hear their "woofer panels" and wasn't impressed with them at all. Without the extra woofer panels, the Maggies needed a sub to deliver any serious low notes; and, with them, they STILL needed a sub; I didn't notice much of an improvement. Maggies like tubes, from what I've read. Most take the economy route - tube preamp + solid state power amp(s). I did it this way for a year or two. It's a great way to start with tubes IMHO, much better than a buffer. Lots of tube watts get expensive quickly. That's true enough that I can't directly argue with you. But my amps are 140 watts per channel costing about $2200 inc. shipping. I really don't think that's expensive. They drove my 87db 4 ohm Lsi15's extremely well. I'm sure they'd do fine on Maggies. ... |
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Post by cardiffkook on Oct 21, 2013 11:42:43 GMT -5
Here is my two cents...
I have not heard the XPA -2s. They were too heavy for my needs.
I did buy a pair of 100s earlier this year, and it is one of my best audio purchases ever. Previously I had tried to run my Maggie 3 series with Sonic Frontiers Sfs80 tubes or with an Adcom GFA 555. Neither amp was up to the challenge. The Adcom was bright and blew tweeter fuses daily. The tubes were simply unable to drive the 3 series properly. The Emotiva 100s are fantastic, especially at the current price. Great bottom end control.
The warning is with your room size. Eleven feet is really narrow. Maggies LOVE space, and to be honest they are not the first choice if squished up against side or especially front walls. They sound good three feet out from the front., great five feet out and heavenly eight or nine feet out (with help on the bottom via DWMs or subs.
I try to keep my tweeters at least three feet from a side wall, or they get too bright. Wall treatment might help here though, or you could angle the tweeters so that your first reflection point is at 90 degree angle, thus virtually eliminating it as a reflection.
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Post by jmasterj on Oct 21, 2013 15:44:47 GMT -5
Yea Snacker,
Now you have me watching craigslist too.
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Post by loudnoises on Oct 21, 2013 21:08:10 GMT -5
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Post by GreenKiwi on Oct 21, 2013 21:18:39 GMT -5
I use if this then that. Ifttt.com
It is great and emails me when items come up.
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Post by snacker on Oct 21, 2013 23:03:34 GMT -5
That seems to work pretty good. Thanks. Jmasterj, make sure you send any good stuff you find to me too. lol |
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Post by snacker on Oct 21, 2013 23:11:27 GMT -5
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Post by luvtubes on Oct 21, 2013 23:18:59 GMT -5
Those are awesome speakers... a tad overpriced IMHO, but worth looking into. |
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Post by ocezam on Oct 22, 2013 7:22:01 GMT -5
I did it this way for a year or two. It's a great way to start with tubes IMHO, much better than a buffer. That's true enough that I can't directly argue with you. But my amps are 140 watts per channel costing about $2200 inc. shipping. I really don't think that's expensive. They drove my 87db 4 ohm Lsi15's extremely well. I'm sure they'd do fine on Maggies. ... I thought your amps were rated at 60 WPC. How come yours make 140 WPC? Because they are running bigger output tubes and running bridged: emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/31793/new-jolida-502p-power-amps... |
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Post by ocezam on Oct 22, 2013 7:24:14 GMT -5
I'm not personally a huge fan of Maggies (they sound nice and "airy" with small ensemble stuff and some vocals, but to me they lack the sort of pinpoint imaging and the "punch" of other types of speakers). Well there's something we can agree on. ... |
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Post by jmasterj on Oct 22, 2013 7:55:52 GMT -5
Hey Snacker,
Those 3.1's look good. I see they are right there by you in Summerland. Any chance you're going to go check them out ? Let me know. Find out if she has the interconnect cable for them? You know I'd like to find some Polk SDA 1's or 2's in good condition.
I've actually been looking on craigslist for a Carver M-1.5t power amp for a good price. Just a heads up.
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Post by loudnoises on Nov 5, 2013 20:41:32 GMT -5
Hey gang- I pulled the trigger on the Oppo103 and the XPA2! Figured I should grab one new while the sale was in force and they have inventory.
Have not yet found my fronts, but am sure I will. Being the indecisive/obsessive type, I am now wavering a bit on used 1.6/7s or new MMGs. When that amp-o-saurus rex is here, I am sure I'll resolve that dillemma fast!
This is kind of addictive and it sure does empty your wallet fast... sure will be fun to have good sound again.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Nov 5, 2013 22:30:29 GMT -5
You really want the 1.6/1.7 or maybe some used 3.6s
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Post by audiobill on Nov 6, 2013 6:17:14 GMT -5
Hey gang- I pulled the trigger on the Oppo103 and the XPA2! Figured I should grab one new while the sale was in force and they have inventory. Have not yet found my fronts, but am sure I will. Being the indecisive/obsessive type, I am now wavering a bit on used 1.6/7s or new MMGs. When that amp-o-saurus rex is here, I am sure I'll resolve that dillemma fast! This is kind of addictive and it sure does empty your wallet fast... sure will be fun to have good sound again. FYI - I have a pair of 1.6's on ebay now starting at $725 plus shipping..... Thanks, Bill |
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Post by audiobill on Nov 6, 2013 6:18:50 GMT -5
3) What should I plan to spend on cables for this setup/ any suggestions for what to buy? (so many opinions out there on cables, hard to sort) As little as possible while keeping the guage nice and thick. (Minimum 16 guage, but I've got 12 guages). You can get these from monoprice or from walmart's car audio section. I personally like car battery charging cables - very refined detail! |
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 6, 2013 7:08:43 GMT -5
I personally like car battery charging cables - very refined detail! +1 ^ Maybe intended for humor, but I use home-made 8-gauge wires that sound just fine! |
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Post by loudnoises on Nov 6, 2013 12:37:21 GMT -5
FYI - I have a pair of 1.6's on ebay now starting at $725 plus shipping..... Thanks, Bill I noticed that pop up last night- will PM you... thanks |
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