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.
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.
Nils, I'm a newcomer to A'Gon and am returing to Audio after a long hiatus. I'm building a system starting with the 3.6's. I do not know why Magnepan decided to make their Mid-hi internal crossover "non-defeatable", and I like your initiative! How did you arrive at your selection of LR slopes and crossover points? I thought Magnepan recomended Butterworth...
I assume your speakers have cherry wood trim, the grain in the wood looks tight yet in the photograph the tint looks light brown not the traditional red I have seen in other photos.
What type of wood is the trim on your speakers? I like it. My oak 3.6's have wide grain oak that have a very yellow tint. I wish magnepan offered walnut. (Just personal taste).
Nils, I also worship at the Alter, it is the place where all positive sonic experiences begin. I have a question on the Marchand; I am thinking of bi-amping using a Marchand, and if you have some advice I would love it. I am thinking of using a 3 way crossover (hi/mr, bass, subwoofer) and was thinking about the Marchand tube crossover. Where would you suggest the crossover points be set, and what about amps? I am planning on keeping my Cary 500mb for the bass, and was thinking either some of the higher power Cary Tube amps, or a Rogue Zeus for the high/mid, what do you think of those?
Also, what about speaker cables? I love my Zu Libec, seem a great match.
The ribbons are directly connected to Monarchy SM-70 Pro amplifiers -- no fuse, no capacitors, etc. So far, I've had no problems. 120 watts dedicated solely to the ribbon element is far more than enough, and I doubt I could clip it before going deaf. :)
Nils, I also have outside crossovers but I have concerns about connecting straight the tweeters to the amp without condenser protection. Have you connected directly tweeters to amps? Great Realization Jose
I'm currently using and loving my Zero Autoformers. I purchased them used here on A'gon -- no need for break-in. I'm using the 2x taps and my tube amps sound noticeably smoother and less dynamically constrained. I did have to increase the relative gain for them to match their previous levels.
System edited: I've just completed the speaker and power conditioner modifications and am amazed with the results. The difference is more than I could have ever hoped for!
System edited: Got myself a Marantz SA-11s2 as a bonus check present. :) A significant upgrade over my Tjoeb in terms of detail and bass presence. Took a few hundred hours to really break in, but I love this SACD player.
Nice and clean set-up I'm a Magie owner too for the last 25 years, I started with 3 A than T4A than MG20 than 3.6 till now still enjoy Magie.I love them all
System edited: Pictures coming soon... I now have four monoblocks driving the 3.6s, and it's such a transformation on every facet of the sound. Pictures coming soon!
I run my Magnepan 3.6Rs full range and have my Titan crossed over at ~40hz. It's key to make sure that the sub is matched level-wise with the speakers for it to truly disappear.
Play with placement and phase. A lot. It takes time to get a subwoofer to blend in with your mains, but it's time well-spent.
I noticed better transient attack and decay when I set up the Mye Stands. I also enjoy their build quality vs. the stock stands. I am in the process of active biamplification, which will do amazing things to the system. :)
I need to adopt a cheaper hobby, like cocaine or burning twenty-dollar bills. :P
Your Altar looks Fantastic and I'm sure it sounds even better than it looks!
I am now the happy owner of 3.6R's and they sound great, but like most audio-nuts I want to improve their performance. I also have an ACI Titan II that I built and am curious about how you set yours up. So if you don't mind, I would love to get your thoughts on a few Maggie related questions.
Do you let the speakers roll-off naturally and have the Titan supplement the Maggies starting at 40hz? If not, do use the ACI high pass filters? (or something else?) IF so, which frequency? I have two sets --One at 80hz and a second at 65hz. I haven't tried these yet on the 3.6R's--
Also, I'm curious about what improvements you noticed by replacing the stock stands with the Mye versions.
