mloutfie Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 I've been using this 3 speaker in rotation and always thinking to just sell them all and get one clearly a step up speaker. These speaker were such a bargain when I got them each costing 1-1.5k and I think used market they are still around that still. but a Magnepan 1.7i with GR research upgrade crossover recently pop up and peaked my interest. I'm about to audition it tomorrow but is this a good clearly better speaker? I like a clear detailed sound and also another future purchase when funds is available is Focal Kanta 2. what do you all think? will Magnepan 1.7i with upgraded crossover be an upgrade for me? The speakers are 1. NS1000M With crossover redone with modern z caps 2. A custom speaker made by Doug Tipping (Libra Audio) with crossover redone to an even better quality z caps over when it once owned by evilc 3. an older version of Osborne Audio Titan when he was still using focal driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 17 Author Share Posted August 17 oh for amplifier I have a Jean Hiraga Super Class A 30w amplifier and auralic merak monoblock in rotation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to music Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 I owned the 1.7 and had the Sanders electronics driving them. If you wanna go down this path you need space (room) for them to breathe and they have to be away from the wall, they also need power, tons of it that is capable of high current, in which the Sanders Magtech can deliver in spades and make them sing. I've tried a number of other high profile amplifiers and most left me wanting until that Magtech takes control. 2ndly there is nothing wrong with the original cross over components even if it uses a bipolar cap as its main path, changing the cross over components doesn't mean its sound better but guaranteed with a different outcome. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 17 Author Share Posted August 17 I have a dedicated room where I tend to put my speaker around 1m away from the wall so that part is covered. for amp I think I got power covered. Matching well it's unknown at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 1 hour ago, Addicted to music said: I owned the 1.7 and had the Sanders electronics driving them. If you wanna go down this path you need space (room) for them to breathe and they have to be away from the wall, they also need power, tons of it that is capable of high current, in which the Sanders Magtech can deliver in spades and make them sing. I've tried a number of other high profile amplifiers and most left me wanting until that Magtech takes control. 2ndly there is nothing wrong with the original cross over components even if it uses a bipolar cap as its main path, changing the cross over components doesn't mean its sound better but guaranteed with a different outcome. I’m with this guy, you will need a power amp which will grunt out plenty of current for the 1.7s. The Magtechs are designed to do this. A 300W Holton would do it also. Not sure the price difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 17 Author Share Posted August 17 @mwhouston this is my amp spec per monoblock 200w@ at 8 Ohms, 400W at 4 Ohms; peak current output, >16A (40ms) AURALiC provides a 56,000µF capacitor array capable of storing a stonking 120 Joules of energy (energy that enables the MERAK to deliver 16A of peak current for temporary output of up to 900W, into “large, power-hungry loudspeakers”). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 1 minute ago, mloutfie said: @mwhouston this is my amp spec per monoblock 200w@ at 8 Ohms, 400W at 4 Ohms; peak current output, >16A (40ms) AURALiC provides a 56,000µF capacitor array capable of storing a stonking 120 Joules of energy (energy that enables the MERAK to deliver 16A of peak current for temporary output of up to 900W, into “large, power-hungry loudspeakers”). a little off thread. Should be OK. I’ve heard the Magtechs in three different systems. Once you hear them you never forget them. They are worth every cent. I don’t have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 17 Author Share Posted August 17 Yeah still the question speaker wise is it the right upgrade path Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 17 Author Share Posted August 17 Looks like some previous owner have used the merak with 1.7 even comments comparable with his previously owned sanders magtec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to music Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 (edited) 4 hours ago, mloutfie said: Looks like some previous owner have used the merak with 1.7 even comments comparable with his previously owned sanders magtec If you are going to go down this path then consider the Hypex NC400 at a fraction of the cost and it max out to 24A. The Magtech is a traditional class A/B amplifier that has 10pairs of 16A BJT where 2 pairs are Onsemi thermaltrak devices, a league on its own. The Holton's are nowhere near this bar as it deploys Mosfets. We have had nc400 running 1.7 and it goes from warm to hot, the reasoning, the 1.7 dips down to under 2ohm. We also had a MF 200W integrated that ran hotter than usual in very little time. I don't have the 1.7, sold them because my DIY ribbons with 11" Eton drivers are that much better but have kept the Sanders Electronics. Edited August 17 by Addicted to music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 5 hours ago, mloutfie said: Looks like some previous owner have used the merak with 1.7 even comments comparable with his previously owned sanders magtec I would suggest your Meraks are not enabling your 1.7s / 1.7is to deliver their best. A Magtech certainly would ... also an ME850. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 17 Author Share Posted August 17 @andyr sanders amp would be out of the budget and I would be leaning more towards getting focal kanta 2 instead. Maybe If me850 came to market ill consider it. well tomorrow ill demo the 1.7i and really compare it with my other 3 speakers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 (edited) 1 hour ago, mloutfie said: @andyr sanders amp would be out of the budget and I would be leaning more towards getting focal kanta 2 instead. Maybe If me850 came to market ill consider it. well tomorrow ill demo the 1.7i and really compare it with my other 3 speakers Another amp you could consider which would have enough power/control to drive the 1.7i's is the Elektra HD 300 amp which has 300 watts, doubles down to 4 ohms and is stable into 2 ohms. It also has a massive 5000 damping factor! https://www.frankstonhifi.com.au/elektra-reference-hd.html Edited August 17 by David A 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyev Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 (edited) I’m not that familiar with Focals but I’ve heard Evils old speakers - they’re both in quite a different sonic world from Maggies. Maggies are great and addictive in so many ways but they need effort to get right. They wont be as dynamic as cones without serious power and probably subs. Not sure upgrade is the way to think about it - it’s more a question of flavour, personal preference and the type of music you listen to. Edited August 17 by buddyev 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to music Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 If you are going down the Maggie route, the .7 and 1.7 are value you just can't beat. The .7 has a better uncomplicated crossover that uses MKP caps and no bipolar that exhibit a SQ that's to die for, voices and imaging places you Infront of the stage with accuracy. OK if you want weight and be able to feel that thump you need to add a sub. Unless you get it discounted preowned, the 3.7 are at significant cost will little gain, and again because they use a real ribbon, you definitely need electronics that has the current capability. And Yeah, they are not the same as a boxed, you either love them or hate them, and there are many that say its not for them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 @Addicted to music I think that's it. Time to a have a different flavour. All 3 of my speakers are more similar than different. I used to have an electrostatic sonic blade speakers that I missed. I heard the magnepan today with some nice electronics but still doesn't feel right until I listen it in my place. So just decided to get it tomorrow and just sell one of the box speakers (one in one out rule) If I can't live it I can just sell it later. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 4 minutes ago, mloutfie said: I heard the magnepan today with some nice electronics but still doesn't feel right until I listen it in my place. So just decided to get it tomorrow and just sell one of the box speakers (one in one out rule) If I can't live it I can just sell it later. True! What amp(s) were the shop using with the 1.7s, Mahdie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 @andyr i think it was powered by this https://www.classaaudio.com.au/integrated-amplifier/2692-vitus-sia-025-mk2-integrated-amplifier.html it gave fantastic bass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 9 minutes ago, mloutfie said: @andyr i think it was powered by this https://www.classaaudio.com.au/integrated-amplifier/2692-vitus-sia-025-mk2-integrated-amplifier.html it gave fantastic bass Aah, OK. A very pricey "Audiophile" amp - but, yes, with some good power. Kinda like a Holden 'Maloo' Ute vs. a RAM Ute (ie. the Magtech). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 18 Volunteer Share Posted August 18 I didn't realise anyone in melboune carried Maggies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 Wasn't a shop. A member but considering I tried 4 speakers and 2 amp might as well be a shop. Tried Vienna Acoustics The Music Floorstanding Speakers. What a beast. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 24 Author Share Posted August 24 Just a rant magnepan has to be the second worst speaker wire connector after one of those spring clip ones. Can't wait to replace this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted August 24 Share Posted August 24 1 hour ago, mloutfie said: Just a rant magnepan has to be the second worst speaker wire connector after one of those spring clip ones. Can't wait to replace this You are absoloootely right, Mahdie. Those steel connectors are a travesty - the result of Magnepan's "minimum manufacturing cost" philosophy. If you are going to replace them - then I suggest: you should consider replacing the crap fuse holders, too. and then throw away the MDF frame - and get a woodworker to make up some replacement hardwood frames. (I have the name of a furniture maker who did this for me, many years ago. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted August 24 Author Share Posted August 24 @andyr was going to just bypass the fuse. I didn't think there is any better fuse holder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted August 24 Share Posted August 24 Just now, mloutfie said: @andyr was going to just bypass the fuse. I didn't think there is any better fuse holder There are (better fuse holders) - but, yes ... I removed mine. As your 1.7s don't have "true-ribbon" tweeters ... there's no danger in doing this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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