Magnepan 1.7 Stand Out Demo from SoundStage

[two dot]

Serge,

Never knew you had efficient speakers and low powered tube amps...

What were they?

Originally Posted by PHC1

Gordon, the answer is rather simple. Back when I had the ML SL3s, I could not afford an amp that had a "richness of tone" to suit my preference and what I was looking for in overall tonal balance. The revealing nature of ESL and Magneplanar speakers in general, made it pretty difficult for me to be happy with the somewhat "grainy" nature of budget amps in combination with those types of speakers. It took quite an effort to come up with a combination of gear that was more or less pleasing to the ear, an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A tube preamp and the original McCormack DNA.5 amp with Meridian 508.20 CDP as a source with Cardas cabling.

I eventually sold the whole setup and moved on to high efficiency speakers/low tube power setup that was much richer in tone but ultimately lacking in detail and transparency.

Many systems have followed since but I have not returned to ESL speakers as of yet. I find the box speakers have evolved quite a bit since then as well. My current Wilson speakers make me very happy indeed.