The Magnepan Altar: Realization

by nils on Ever Evolving
The Magnepan Altar

Description

The Magnepan Altar represents hundreds of hours of research and work.

The Realization of the Altar is a permanent and uncompromising modification to the Magnepan 3.6R.

Triamplification is simply three channels of amplification per speaker, or in the case of the Magnepan 3.6R, one per driver. The lack of passive components (i.e. capacitors and inductors) between the amplifier and the driver results in a true, uncolored sound that few have experienced.

Thank you for looking! I'd be happy to answer any questions about this system or the modifications.

-- Nils
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Components Toggle details

    • Magnepan MG-3.6r
    Rewired for triamplification. Each driver is connected to Vampire BPHEX binding posts using Goertz MI1 (custom integrated terminations treated with progold and silclear to prevent oxidization)
    • Audio Concepts Titan II LE
    Very musical sealed enclosure subwoofer. Class AB amp. A perfect match for Magnepan speakers. Connected via direct input (active crossover employs a 45hz fourth-order LP).
    • Quicksilver V4
    I use four of these to drive my midrange panels and ribbons. Two have been upgraded by Response Audio; two are stock.
    • Bryston 7B-SST
    900wpc into 4. In the fashion of obscene overkill, these drive only my bass panels. Probably the best amps for this job.
    • Marchand XM44 4-way crossover
    Highly flexible active crossover used to triamp my speakers and filter the frequencies for the subwoofer (better than the crap xover built into most subs). Currently enjoying 35hz LP, 240hz LR4, 1700hz LR4 filters.
    • Bent Audio TAP-X
    Autoformer-based preamplifier. Probably the last preamp I will ever buy.
    • Marantz SA-11s2
    One of the best SACD players out there!
    • Analysis Plus Crystal Oval
    1m RCA CD player to preamp
    1m XLR preamp to amp

    These cables are highly resolving and neutral. Wonderful match for my system.
    • Analysis Plus Solo Crystal
    4' runs from each monoblock to the speaker. Oh, and locking banana plugs rock. :)
    • VH Audio Flavor 2, 3, 4
    Flavor 4 power cords for the amplifiers and Equitech 2Q; Flavor 3 for the SACD player; Flavor 2 for the active crossover.
    • Mapleshade Samson V1
    I chose Mapleshade primarily for the stunning aesthetics. * Samson V1 stand with extra shelf and riser nuts. * (2) 15" x 18" Amp Stands * (2) 12" x 15" Amp Stands * (1) 18" x 24" x 4" Amp Stand * (2) 15" x 18" Platforms
    • GIK Acoustics Various treatments
    If you have a nice system, you're doing yourself an INCREDIBLY injustice to put it in an untreated room. * 4' x 8' array of D1 diffusion panels (painted to match my apt!) * 4 Tri-Traps stacked floor to ceiling * 244 panels at the sidewall and rear wall first reflection points.
    • Mye Sound MG3.6 aftermarket stands
    These are leagues better than the silly 'T' brackets that Magnepan supplies.
    • RealTraps MicroTraps, MiniTrap HFs
    Used to treat the side wall and rear wall reflections, respectively
    • ASC StudioTrap, SoundPanel
    Additional acoustic treatment for voiced diffusion and absorption
    • Oyaide R1
    Purchased with cryo and burn-in treatment from VH Audio. Outlet cover is Furutech 103
    • Equitech 2Q
    I use two of these: one for the tube amps hooked up to a dedicated 20A circuit, the other for the front-end + Bryston amps. I modified one with 3 x Oyaide R1, 2 x Furutech FP-15a (cu), VH Audio wiring, and no GFCI.
    • Herbie's Audio Lab Iso-Cup / Lampblack footers
    These work wonderfully under my tube amps.
    • Herbie's Audio Lab SuperSonic tube dampers
    I can't live without 'em!
    • Herbie's Audio Lab Grungebuster CD Mat
    I didn't expect too much from this tweak, but I was oh so (happily) wrong.
    • Audio Points 1.5APD
    Used under my power conditioner with Herbie's decoupling grounding base.

Comments 82

Showing all comments by bigbrother52.

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I KNOW you'll enjoy them for years to come. My son a Maggie owner as well, also uses the Bryston.
I on the other hand use a Levinson 333 for my 3.6, a 332 for my 3.5's which where moved to the rear about a yr ago and a 331 for front and rear CC3's.
I also use 2 Velodyne DD12s as left and right front subs.
Like you, the crossovers are set at 40 6db slope for the 3.6 & 3.5's.
You see for me there is no such thing as trading in a Maggie, you just move it somewhere else!
Before I got the 3.6's, I used the 3.5's in the front and MG IIc's I purchesed in 1986 (I started looking at Maggies in 1976) for the rears. Since I won't part with any Maggie, the MG IIc's are now part of a two channel set-up in another room. Actually, back in the room where this all began, they've come full circle!
I hope you're as happy with yours for as many years as I've been with mine. Good luck.

bigbrother52

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