Question about vintage Magneplaner

[SED]

I have a vintage set of Magneplaner MG-IIb speakers and also a vintage Sony PS-T20 turntable. All in perfect working order. These are connected to a Yamaha RX-V683 surround receiver and an old Pioneer buncha CD player. The CD player was mostly used for Christmas music and finally gave up the ghost. So it is time to rethink this entire set up.

This system has just used whatever receiver I moved from the 7.1 as time went on. The question is what do I need to do to improve this to a simple 2 channel system that makes it sound as if Diana Krall is in the same room? I know the speakers are capable and think I am severely under driving them

Thoughts?

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

I have a vintage set of Magneplaner MG-IIb speakers and also a vintage Sony PS-T20 turntable. All in perfect working order. These are connected to a Yamaha RX-V683 surround receiver and an old Pioneer buncha CD player. The CD player was mostly used for Christmas music and finally gave up the ghost. So it is time to rethink this entire set up.

This system has just used whatever receiver I moved from the 7.1 as time went on. The question is what do I need to do to improve this to a simple 2 channel system that makes it sound as if Diana Krall is in the same room? I know the speakers are capable and think I am severely under driving them

Thoughts?

Hi,
Planars are really power-hungry, so going from a AVR to a solid power amp/ or integrated will be a big jump in quality, guaranteed. If I were you, I would be looking for a solid integrated amp. Something from Parasound, for example. I think that reasonable power output should be around 100W/8Ohm, give or take. If you want second-hand, then old Nakamichi separates can be bought for reasonable money. And then you can drop a iFi Audio Zen One Signature on top of that to play X-mas songs over the Bluetooth, and sports from your TV.

 

[SED]

Hi,
Planars are really power-hungry, so going from a AVR to a solid power amp/ or integrated will be a big jump in quality, guaranteed. If I were you, I would be looking for a solid integrated amp. Something from Parasound, for example. I think that reasonable power output should be around 100W/8Ohm, give or take. If you want second-hand, then old Nakamichi separates can be bought for reasonable money. And then you can drop a iFi Audio Zen One Signature on top of that to play X-mas songs over the Bluetooth, and sports from your TV.

Thanks!
I bought these speakers from a friend in the early 00’s. Interestingly, he has a Hafler amp that he seldom uses and may be willing to part with. Looking to meet up for a test drive next week.

 

[Bruce B]

I have a pair 1.7i speakers being powered by a Parasound Halo Integrated and I like listening to this more than my main system!

 

[Gregadd]

f Dian Krall is already in the room, what are you shooting for. You want her to sit in your lap?
You might want to go with a Conrad Johnson integrated amp. Add a subscription to Tidal.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Thanks!
I bought these speakers from a friend in the early 00’s. Interestingly, he has a Hafler amp that he seldom uses and may be willing to part with. Looking to meet up for a test drive next week.

Hafler is not that popular in EU, but AFAIK they are solid. If it's an older unit I encourage you to do a service first. It's good to check capacitors, thermal paste, cold solder joints and other potential issues.

 

[Gregadd]

I did not find Hafler DH 200 to be a good match with my Maggies. YMMV

 

[SED]

Hafler is not that popular in EU, but AFAIK they are solid. If it's an older unit I encourage you to do a service first. It's good to check capacitors, thermal paste, cold solder joints and other potential issues.

Thanks. Good advice. I will not see the Hafler until next week. I have contacted the local high end audio shop to make sure Hafler is in their wheelhouse. It is.

 

[SED]

I did not find Hafler DH 200 to be a good match with my Maggies. YMMV

Thanks for the heads up. I don’t yet know the model # of the Hafler. If you care to elsborate

I did not find Hafler DH 200 to be a good match with my Maggies. YMMV

 

[SED]

Thanks for the heads up. I don’t yet know the model # of the Hafler. If you care to elsborate

Hit send too soon! Did you just not like the sound?

 

[Gregadd]

Knowing the model # is essential. I built it from a kit. It was cold and sterile. Odd because the Maggie is so amplifier friendly.

BTW there is a delete button. Just hit edit in the subscript.

 

[SED]

I have a vintage set of Magneplaner MG-IIb speakers and also a vintage Sony PS-T20 turntable. All in perfect working order. These are connected to a Yamaha RX-V683 surround receiver and an old Pioneer buncha CD player. The CD player was mostly used for Christmas music and finally gave up the ghost. So it is time to rethink this entire set up.

This system has just used whatever receiver I moved from the 7.1 as time went on. The question is what do I need to do to improve this to a simple 2 channel system that makes it sound as if Diana Krall is in the same room? I know the speakers are capable and think I am severely under driving them

Thoughts?

Update:
Test driving an ADCOM GFP-565 Pre Amp. All caps replaced, bridge network reworked with “soft diodes”, Op Amps and FETS updated. There is a marked improvement in sound quality even while using my Yamaha AV receiver. Excited to see if this, the Hafler, and the Maggie’s will all play well together next week. But I like where it is heading so far!

 

[SED]

Knowing the model # is essential. I built it from a kit. It was cold and sterile. Odd because the Maggie is so amplifier friendly.

BTW there is a delete button. Just hit edit in the subscript.

Thanks! The Hafler guy had urgent family issues this weekend.

I just posted an update on my post. Turns out a guy I have known for several years is an Audio hot rodder. And all I knew is he was a PhD Chemist. Anyway, I am test driving an ADCOM preamp he loaned me for a test drive. He has serviced it himself and done some upgrades. The Maggie’s already sound better than they ever have for me, but I never cared for them properly.

 

[SED]

I have a pair 1.7i speakers being powered by a Parasound Halo Integrated and I like listening to this more than my main system!

Kudos for the profile graphic. Cars have been my disease of choice for a long time. Especially the German variety. I sold a pristine R129 last year … still had cosmoline and mfg. bar code labels on the undercarriage. Decided to give the Brits a try and picked up an F-type. Drives a lot like an M3. But that is all for another forum. Cheers!

 

[Gregadd]

Update:
Test driving an ADCOM GFP-565 Pre Amp. All caps replaced, bridge network reworked with “soft diodes”, Op Amps and FETS updated. There is a marked improvement in sound quality even while using my Yamaha AV receiver. Excited to see if this, the Hafler, and the Maggie’s will all play well together next week. But I like where it is heading so far!

I think I owned that Adcom amp and preamp in the 90's. very nice.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Thanks! The Hafler guy had urgent family issues this weekend.

I just posted an update on my post. Turns out a guy I have known for several years is an Audio hot rodder. And all I knew is he was a PhD Chemist. Anyway, I am test driving an ADCOM preamp he loaned me for a test drive. He has serviced it himself and done some upgrades. The Maggie’s already sound better than they ever have for me, but I never cared for them properly.

It's great that you can try those things, that's nice of him. Are you considering any other auditions?

 

[SED]

It's great that you can try those things, that's nice of him. Are you considering any other auditions?

I just brought home a Hafler DH-200 and set it up with the Adcom. I am using the bypass out on the Adcom for the subwoofer. I am not sure if my descriptions are correct but … here goes.

There is a vast improvement in what I would call resolution. A muted solo trumpet sustain that fades at the end of a piece, for example. But it seems to be missing the “spatial” perception between instruments, and vocals sound a bit muffled and not bright. Thinking now I may actually have a speaker(s) issue.

The Hafler was connected to a set of Mag LRS streaming YouTube and several CD’s before we unhooked it so I could bring it home. Both sources sounded far better than what I am hearing out of the MG2b’s with vinyl or CD.

 

[Gregadd]

Adcom GFA-565 Monoblock Amplifier | Reverb

Top cover and multiple screws missing. Slight cosmetic damage on all remaining sides of unit. Power switch housing is cracked and chipped.Tested and Working. This was pulled from a working environment. Please look at all pictures before purchasing, only what is included in pictures is included in...

reverb.com

Adcom GFA 565 amp stereo.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

I just brought home a Hafler DH-200 and set it up with the Adcom. I am using the bypass out on the Adcom for the subwoofer. I am not sure if my descriptions are correct but … here goes.

There is a vast improvement in what I would call resolution. A muted solo trumpet sustain that fades at the end of a piece, for example. But it seems to be missing the “spatial” perception between instruments, and vocals sound a bit muffled and not bright. Thinking now I may actually have a speaker(s) issue.

The Hafler was connected to a set of Mag LRS streaming YouTube and several CD’s before we unhooked it so I could bring it home. Both sources sounded far better than what I am hearing out of the MG2b’s with vinyl or CD.

It seems to me that the DH200 fits your system better. Is the Hafler connected to the source via the Adcom? Or did I get something wrong?

 

[cfgardei1]

Just a thought: If you get a Bluesound Node player (I recommend streaming Tidal MQA's), the RCA outputs on that player will drive a power amplifier without the need for a preamp (or, accordingly, an integrated amp). Of course, if you chosse this path, then the Streaming player will then be your ONLY source (But, once you hear it, it's really NOT a limitation!) I run the Bluesound node into a Parasound A21+ and drive my 3.7i's to musical bliss! 500 clean wpc at only $3000