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The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of all original Dynaco tube audio equipment - Customer support for Tubes4hifi VTA tube amp and preamp kits and all Dynakitparts.com products


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Bob Latino
audiobill
OH Dave
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    M-125's driving Magnepan MMG

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    OH Dave


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    Join date : 2015-03-15

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    Post by OH Dave Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:45 am

    I'm currently using SS amp 100 wpc into 8 ohms and 200 wpc into 4 ohms but am interested in the improved soundstage of tubes. My concern is the driving the Magnepan MMG's with possibly less power into 4 ohms than I am using now.

    What experience has anyone had with the M-125 mono blocks driving the small magnepans.
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    audiobill


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    Location : Albany, NY

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    Post by audiobill Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:00 am

    They drove my 1.7's just fine.
    Bob Latino
    Bob Latino
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    Post by Bob Latino Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:17 am

    The VTA amps drive complex loads like planar magnetic speakers very well with no issues. Before the development of the VTA M-125's in 2010, I had a pair of Magnepan 3.6R speakers downstairs that I use to drive with a PAIR of VTA ST-120's in a vertical biamped configuration. See photo below. In 2011, I sold one of the ST-120, brought the other one upstairs to use in another system and now drive the Maggie 3.6R's with a pair of M-125's. (lower photo) They do a fine job ...

    Bob

    M-125's driving Magnepan MMG BiampingapairofMagnepan3_6_zpsc8ad039f

    M-125's now driving Magnepan 3.6R speakers

    M-125's driving Magnepan MMG Bythelightofthetubes_1024

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    zx


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    Post by zx Sun Mar 15, 2015 11:34 am

    Great work Bob............cool looking Amps..
    Magnepans & Apogees love tubes ...I think the M-125 should drive most Speakers...




    Thanks for the site bob....
    deepee99
    deepee99


    Posts : 2244
    Join date : 2012-05-23
    Location : Wallace, Idaho

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    Post by deepee99 Sun Mar 15, 2015 2:21 pm

    My old Maggie 2Gs ran fine off the M-125s. Problem was, when I got the Mags, their tweeter coils were toast, so I lashed a pair of Heil ESS up to them in parallel to boost the high end, which dropped the effective load to about zero. Not a good idea for a tube amp. At least the rectifiers didn't think so. But that was my fault.
    I would definitely hook speakers of this type up to the 4-ohm taps off your output xformers.
    You might ask Magnepan directly for their advice at:
    http://www.magnepan.com/contact
    by phone.
    Despite their fame, it's a small, family-owned and operated company. No corporate BS. The daughter answers the phone, and routes you directly to the old man unless he's out ice-fishing.





    wgallupe
    wgallupe


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    Post by wgallupe Sun Mar 15, 2015 4:23 pm

    I'm gonna have to bring my MMGs upstairs and try them with the ST-120 / SP-13 / PH-12!
    deepee99
    deepee99


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    Post by deepee99 Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:44 pm

    wgallupe
    If your Maggies are old and tired, as mine were when I bought them off the Bay, the top-end windings may very well be shot. The company will send you a treble-end re-wire kit for IIRC about $40. I was too lazy to go to that trouble, hence the Heils in parallel which arrangement kept blowing up rectifiers.
    Your VTA amp(s) will bring out the Maggies' mid-range that is nonpareil.
    Good hunting
    -d-
    pedrocols
    pedrocols


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    Location : Western MA

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    Post by pedrocols Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:50 pm

    I am currently powering a pair of MG 1.7 with the M-125s. What I noticed is that they "sound better to me" with amps in pentode mode.
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    OH Dave


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    Post by OH Dave Sun Mar 15, 2015 10:12 pm

    Thanks for the quick responses. Looking forward to building the M-125's

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