MMG + amp budget combo

[faberryman]

I reviewed the Magnepan MMGs with a PrimaLuna Prologue Premium integrated amplifier, and could drive them to uncomfortable levels in my 12x14x8 listening room with no sign of distortion. It was a captivating pairing.

Magnepan MMG Review:

Magnepan MMG Loudspeaker Review | Ultra High-End Audio and Home Theater Review

PrimaLuna Prologue Premium Review:

PrimaLuna Prologue Premium Integrated Amplifier Review | Ultra High-End Audio and Home Theater Review

[timm]

Awesome. Thank you very much. This is very helpful!

[timm]

Originally Posted by faberryman

I reviewed the Magnepan MMGs with a PrimaLuna Prologue Premium integrated amplifier, and could drive them to uncomfortable levels in my 12x14x8 listening room with no sign of distortion. It was a captivating pairing.

Magnepan MMG Review:

Magnepan MMG Loudspeaker Review | Ultra High-End Audio and Home Theater Review

PrimaLuna Prologue Premium Review:

PrimaLuna Prologue Premium Integrated Amplifier Review | Ultra High-End Audio and Home Theater Review

faberryman -- I noticed that you had the EL34s in the prologue.... Did you try any other amp with them? I have heard the primaluna before and I thought it would be a nice pairing given its nice mids and I thought it did fairly well in the bass department as well... Very nice review btw....

[faberryman]

The PrimaLuna Prologue Premium I reviewed came with EL34s; it also accepts KT88s but I did not try it with those tubes.

I also listened to the Magnepan MMGs with my Meridian 557 amplifier, a solid-state design with 200 watts/channel with good results.

[metaphysician]

Originally Posted by timm

Hi guys ... I came across another possible option here -- and I just wanted any opinions....

I have an old Carver m500t amp (250/ch into 8 ohms... 350/ch into 4).... What do you think about this with an MMG? It is an old amp.... Most of what I see is to feed the MMGs some juice.... My concern is that the PrimaLuna might not have enough power... but, I do really like those little integrateds....and of course the tubes are cool!! So, do you think I would have problems with the prima luna @ around 35 watts/ch on tubes?

So, between a primaluna prologue 1 or 2.... and an old Carver amp/ Carver C1 pre-amp.... what say you?

I'm using my old Carver M400 cube amp on my Maggie 1.7s. It was originally purchased for my Magnepan IIBs, back around 1986. It puts out 200w/channel into 8 ohms and 300w/ch into 4 ohms. the Maggies seem very happy.