A beginning Audiophile: Maggies & Tube amp

by loju2009 on Getting Started

Description

Still building up my first audiophile system. Using integrated tube amp (40 Watt, triode mode, Cary Audio SLI-80) to power my maggies (1.7). I'm satisfied with the sound (listening volume barely past 11 o'clock). I picked up the Cary used from Audiogone, but, while biasing, the tubes lit too bright. I had to send it to Cary for repaires. Upgraded to Cardas caps, replaced both power caps and replaced all tubes.

For CD I use PS1. It sounds really good: warm, non-fatiguing. Upgraded stock power cord to PS Audio Jewel C7.

I recently upgraded my Clear Day speaker cable from the shotgun to double shotgun. I experienced a noted improvement in imaging and more pronounced bass. Looking forward to upgrading the record player (Denon DP-300f) to Clear Audio Concept and my external phono (Cambridge Audio 640P) to Clear Audio Nano.

I love the magnepan 1.7. Was debating between it and MartinLogan Vantage. I picked maggie because its(a) a newer model (b)more affordable (c) has a reported wider sweet spot

Future plans: this will eventually serve as my secondary rig. My primary rig will be made up of:

CD player: Oppo (latest 3D model)

Turntable: VPI Classic (1 or 3)

Speakers: Magnepan 3.7

Power Amp: two Mcintosh MC275 as monoblocks (150W/ch or 190W/ch)

Preamp: Mcintosh 2500 (or latest model

Speaker cables: Clear Day double Shotgun

Interconnect: Marrow Audio

C'est tout! (That's all)

Opinions requested:

1) Do I need diffusers behind the Maggie? How many?

2) How about acoustic treatment? (My room: 24 by 12)

3) This music room is separated by french doors (glass) which open up into an adjacent 24 by 12 room in the basement (my movie room), should the doors remain open or shut?

4) Maggie Placement: I had to push the Maggies back towards the back wall to about 5ft as setting it up at 7 or 8ft didn't improve the imaging/sound stage at all.

Let me know what you think about my current system and future plans.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Clear Day Double Shotgun
    Silver, 8ft
    • Marrow Audio MA 3 Reference
    1ft
    • Playstation One SCPH-1001
    1st issue of PS1 with model number 1001. Sounds warm. Reminds me of vinyl.
    • Denon DP-300F
    Non-audiophile. I tried Ortofon bronze on it, but, the quality was horrible. Went back to her stock cartridge
    • Cary Audio Design SLA-80
    I use it in triode mode (40Watts) vs ultralinear (80Watts). Sounds nicer in triode: warm, sweet midrange

Comments 7

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Owner
SYSTEM UPDATE
Took everyone's advice and added Wyred ST-500 MKII to my system (460W into 4ohms). My maggie 1.7 has a pronounced bass. Disconnected the MartinLogan powered sub. Currently using the integrated Cary Audio SLI-80 as a preamp. Its passive, saving my tubes, i.e. Stays off yet the power button functions normally.

Down the road will consider an active tube preamp. Next project: upgrade the turntable to Clearaudio Concept or VPI Treveler.

loju2009

In my experience there is really not too much power to send to Maggies. I am currently running 400w/ch via Sunfire amplification to them and they sing............head room is simply amazing.....

nissancrazy

Owner
Thanks for the suggestions. I've not tested the 1.7 with solid state amps, but, at one point thought about testing with a Bryston.

loju2009

Very nice system! I would guess it is sounding natural and engaging. Be prepared for the many suggestions to get higher power solid state amplifiers. Have you tried them yet with your Maggies? If so which do you prefer?

charles1dad

5ft. should be more than enough distance from rear wall. And to previous posts, as an owner of the MG1.6's, more power is definitely something necessary to get them to perform to their potential. I ran mine on a 45 watt/channel KT88 based tube amp and it sounded great, but not nearly as good as when I run them on my Denon POA6600 mono's. Wasn't one of those "I can hear " type of differences, but a very clearly audible difference, which my wife noticed immediately without knowing the amps were changed.

theonetruegreg

Very nice start. I do agree with Lak, on the above response, the Maggies really do shine with lots of power, you could use more power. It would really make your 1.7's sing.

Nice beginning. Keep up the good work.

AEW

a_e_watkins

Looks like a good start.
IMO; I think Maggie's need bigger wattage from your amp to achieve their best sound.

lak

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