.

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I don't know about the AVM30, I've only heard it a few times, but I have compared the Anthem D1, to the 990. The D1, was cleary, and I mean clearly a step above the 990 in sound quality. I would love to do a blind test. The D1 brings things to the next level, but look at the price.. you have to ask yourself is it worth the price? If I had the cash, yes.. until you have heard the D1, Lex MC12, or Meridian G68, I've heard them all you don't know what you are missing.. once again, however, the price. Unless you have very good speakers, it's a waste of money IMHO, hence, 90% of the world would be pleased with the 990.

Hi Chris, everyone,
I really appreciate your input on this. When you mentioned "if you are a music first...", then that reasoning fits well with my bias towards the Arcam. I think I will have my dealer set up the Arcam's with the Magnepans this week for a good listen on CDs and movies I am familiar with. I only wished you gave the P1000 a more positive feeback as well so I wouldn't have to look for a more decent 7ch amp now. I would still favor a decent audiophile-quality amp in case I am not happy with the P1000 that would be in the same price range ($2300). Thanks a lot again!

Hi Ritz, your inputs do make a lot of sense. I guess I will go with the 1.6 for these systems. Choosing the P1000 is sort of a way of keeping everything in the system Arcam, AVP 700 + P1000 + CD73 (CD player for 2ch music listening)...although I am really tempted to go with a beefy 2ch amp (Used Bryston 4B SST, Belles, etc.) then get the 3.6Rs plus use my old 5 Marantz MA 500 mono blocks to power the center and surround speakers for 7.1. I can compromise the HT part of my system and get a top notch 2ch stereo OR get an all Arcam system as stated above with decent HT (since all channels will have a common 7ch amp) and music performance. Decisions, decisions...

Gonk and Psyprof, ahhh, you have just answered this question for me...now what I heard also is that the only way you're really bi-amping is when you do active bi-amping (meaning to bypass the speakers x-over) to reap it's true benefits (deeper bass, enhanced detail, etc.)...I'd love to hear the Magnepan's done both ways to judge for myself if it is worth it, or just do bi-wiring instead.

Actually, pysprof is right. I said "bi-amp" when I really meant "bi-wired". My bad.

Cheers,

C

Thanks for the compliment, ninoe99, but the Maggie 1.6QR is simply not biampable without ripping out all the circuitry in it and voiding the warranty. Its big brother the 3.6QR can be biamped, but it's >$2500 more. Nice if you have the $$ and space, but I have neither. There are a lot of DIY upgrades for the 1.6QR at http://www.integracoustics.com/MUG/MUG/ and they all involve upgrading the crossover components or rebuiilding the whole crossover network, and/or putting external braces on the speakers. (I'd be interested in hearing one of these upgraded speakers - anybody know of any in southern California?) But none of the changes involve making the 1.6QR biampable.

ninoe99,

I can't give the P1000 positive or negative feedback, since I've never used it. Also, I don't think anyone is saying that it isn't a quality amp... just a bit pricy compared to the alternatives. I am of the opinion that amp technology doesn't change all that much, and if you look out on the used market, you can get something just as good for half the price or less. In my case, I got an Anthem floor model with full warranty for less than some of the used prices I've seen. That's another way to go. In the end, you can't go wrong either way... lots of people are quite happy with the P1000.

Chris

Since the 1.6's came up in this thread I'll throw my two cents in. I just sold mine not long ago and had them in my system for a couple of years. I drove them with my Outlaw Model-755 and it worked great. I see you guys are discussing allot of other amps, but I have to tell you the 755 is one killer amp, and I've owned a bunch.

Over the years I've come to realize that amplifers sound more alike then just about any other component IMO. I've heard drastic differences in pre-amps, CDP's, DVDP's, but most well built amps were fairly similar.

As someone mentioned the Maggies are a true 4 Ohm speaker, but it's a consistant 4 Ohms, so they really don't present a problem to a good amp. However, they are fairly inefficient and I think this is why a amp with allot of current works best with these speakers. Especially to pull the bass out. And yes, the 1.6's do have some bass capability contrary to popular belief. It's not all that extended, but what is there is articulate and beautiful. Never heard a stand up bass sound better then with the Maggies.

Best sound I've ever heard was a pair of 3.6's with all AR equipment (Acoustic Research).

Bryston would be an excellent match for the Maggies, no doubt in my mind, but I have to wonder if the differenc between this and the Outlaw would be noticable.

Duno.