Maggie 20.1's
majesticgiraffe -- Sun, 06/15/2008 - 22:36
any opinions on these? I had tympani IVa 1986-2002. Then 1.6's from 2002 to 2005. Then 3.6's from 2005. Have tried to like boxes but after some time listening to Martens Mile III and audio physic it seemed like the only step up is to the Maggie 20.1's.
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1999 - 2011 NextScreen. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
And, just as I say that, three Marsh amps show up on Audiogon for auction. First I've seen in some time.
Jack D II
Thanks for the advice and additional suggestions and especially to you, Jack, for addressing the problem of no dealers close by. I will add the Marshs to my list as well as the Pass, VTL 150s, and Krells.
As a long term subscriber to The Absolute Sound (I miss the back cover photos!), I have always thought that their advice about listening to components in your own system was essential. Part of the reason I was reasonably comfortable in bringing the Maggies home (without a trial period) was the many comments and recommendations of Maggies over the years from TAS. Further I knew I had the space for them. I had heard Maggies in a number of dealer showrooms as well but still the TAS advice about listening to components in your own room is drilled into my head.
Adding an amplifier to the mix, though, seems a step up in complexity. Now it is not just the room but it is the room and the Maggies that the amp must fit together to some degree. I've not tried a lot of different amps or pre-amps with the Maggies so I'm feeling rather timid about what to try knowing that I, again, will not be following the essential tenet of listening to the components ( in this case, amps) in my home system. In the end I shall have to just try something and hopefully it will work out. I'm not really much of a trader -- buy this, try it, and then resell if it does not work -- that takes away too much time from actually listening. Still I may have to do some of that if I'm going to follow TAS's advice. I don't really see any other alternatives. Any pitfalls to watch for in using Audiogon?
Thanks again for the suggestions.
The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men; they are honoured not only by columns and inscriptions in their own land, but in foreign nations on memorials graven not on stone but in the hearts and minds of men. -- Pericles
That's where I got my Odyssey's and never looked back. Have had many sucessful transactions on audiogon. Most high end equipment is bulletproof if well taken care of.
I've bought 3-4 items on audiogon and many lps. Never has any problem.
Jack D II
TAS is a mere shadow of what it once was!
I nearly bought the 20.1s after the 3.5s, but eventually went for the much more expensive Magico Mini 2. I couldn't find any other box that I liked - most sounded like ... boxes. The Mini 2 is pretty much like a panel, but with the dynamic punch of a box (I am obviously simplifying here).
The classic and best value amp for Maggies are the 3.6's.I heard from many folks including Magenpans woners son.My freind wante to replace his aging III's which were buzzing since glued wire dires up after a while.We brought home 3.6's and with his "upper mid fi" dual 150 watt Denon's which did trick with older speakers.I told him he needed a better amp.Now the Byston 4B ST was the one mentioned by everybody.If getting 3.6 or 20.1 it's a great combo but best would be bi-amping with a Bryston 10U crossover (not the liuttle dinky Magnepan plastic boxes which aren't even made anymore) and another 4B ST.That would be the set up I'd go for.Neer SST Brystons are pricey so used 4's (or 7B mono's) are the ticket.If wanting tubes it depends on your poison.Older CJ's could be to warm.Big VTL's would be good.But amp matching is important.I was going to sell my Krell KSA300S to my buddy since Maggies have such a nasty impoedance dip (and that's why they suck current) and my Krell went constant 2,400 @1 ohm!!!!But I was warned the sonics of the Krell just were bad match.I sold Krell,B&W,Mac etc for 6 years so I had contacts and they all said the same thing.Good tubes or SS it has to mate well based on user experience.The Krell works great with another panel speaker the Appogee which also sucks the juice but not Maggies.Again Bryston either solo or with their x-over and a second 225 wpc (beching at 375 really) is the best match for the buck with Magenapans.
Cheers
Chazz
Would you say that the big VTL´s (450 sII and up) are a better match for the 3.6´s than equivalent ARC´s?
does anyone have an experience with maggie 20.1 driven by Krell FBP 700cx?
Hello,
I've tried Krell FPB350Mc, which may have the same characteristics in sound. The MG20.1 tweeter was not a good match with Krell causing quite hot low treble. Possibly adding a resistor to tweeter could help but I didn't try that. The first impression was very engaging, superbly controlled, tight sound with good S/N. It could resolve quite well what the words a vocalist was singing. After a few weeks of listening I changed to BAT VK600SE. It has the same ability to control the bass and the VK600 is even better with mids and highs. BAT easily follows the microdynamics and harmonis, which Krell just missed. It just left me wondering why Stereophile was so enthused about the FPB350Mc. I think it is no match for BAT VK600SE.
I had a chance to get Wilson MAXX2, which I now drive with the BAT and I'm pretty happy with it. The MAXX delivers more micro/macro dynamics and can sound more tuneful in all areas. I can still hear the cones in the bass and somewhat high energy level of 60Hz to 80Hz but otherwise a very listenable setup. The MAXX doesn't have as big sound picture as the MG20.1. Also, it doesn't sound as coherent from top to bottom as Maggie. Maybe even there is some gap between the mids and the bass but still the MAXX2 has attributes that make it sound quite realistic. I could live with both speakers.