The Magnepan Altar: Realization | Virtual Listening Room

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

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.

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sir,
i have been a magneplanar owner for the past 28 years ( i think) and i live in india.
i was an airline steward. india was totally devoid of hifi then.so i had to shop in newyork.
i bought 2 pairs of maggies from newyork, one around 1975. then in 1995, and now the 3rd pair in 2009 bought locally. OBVIOUSLY they r amazing. but never could lay my hands on ur model, as they are much too big to import, sizewise and not sold locally.
what i admire about u is ur taste in sound. but even more, i respect ur knowledge, courage and guts to do modifications ( obviously all warranties would become void). if u lived in India, u would be the hifi GURU of India.
i am happy for you. i cannot even fathom what ur sound would be like.
some time in the future i would appreciate ur advice on cables. i own nordost blue heaven for spkrs, synergestic research for interconnects. i have got into home theater, so i went in for maggie rears and center. i am happy, but not convinced that i have the right cables for the subwoofer (psb 6i).
ur advice would be INVALUABLE to me.
pls wrte to me, i'm sure u r busy,even if you need a lot of time, i will wait patiently.but please please write.
thanking u in anticipation
suresh lalwani

skljesus May 18, 2009 02:55