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From: klm@cme.nist.gov (Ken Manheimer)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: Looking for Advice
Message-ID: <10207@uwm.edu>
Date: 14 Mar 91 13:59:46 GMT
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While i don't have any information to contribute re the extremely
refined amps you mention, i am doing something with my MGIIIa's that
you might want to consider as an alternative.

I finally, not too long ago, migrated from my old (and very weary)
MGIimproved's to Magnepan MGIIIa's.  I concurrently added a Velodyne
ULD15 powered subwoofer, also, and am *extremely* pleased with the
arrangement.  The Harmon Kardon Citation 22 amp i use performs
splendidly with the support of the Velodyne 400 watt dedicated amp
taking the bass load.  By experimenting with the location of the
subwoofer i was able to get a nearly seamless integration with the
panels, and i am exceedingly pleased with the sound of the setup over
the audible spectrum.  (While i became a member of the dipolar camp
once i was exposed to them, i've yearned for additional bass volume
from any speakers dipolar's i've auditioned, regardless of setup
tweaks.  Now i'm happy.)

I guess i should concede in advance that i may not be getting the most
out of my speakers with this arrangement - i don't know that i
couldn't do better with some other amp taking care of the panels - i'm
just trying to say that	my appetite for high fidelity sound
reproduction is so well satisfied by this setup that i don't feel any
need to push the issue.  (However, if anyone happens to want to bring
over a fine Mark Levinson or Jeff Rowland (or whatever) amp to try
out, i might not be opposed to playing with it:-)

Incidentally, it so happens that i got all of the equipment i mention
used, at different times and from different places.  I bought the
speakers from a used audio dealer, and the other equipment from
individuals, either over the net or via AudioMart.  I've been really
happy with what i could get that would have been beyond my price range
otherwise.

The only problem i've had with anything i've gotten used is with a
Citation 21 preamp (which i got together with the amp i mentioned).
It was apparently faulty from the factory - some of the connections
from the circuit board to the preamp-out jacks were unsoldered, for
instance.  Even after i corrected the output jack problem the amp
still had some weird problems with sibilants.  I still feel i came out
ahead, and never took up the issue with the seller, as the price i
paid was so good.  For an additional $85 i got it fixed at a (great)
local audio repair place, and it still, net, cost drastically less
than anything that i think performs as well would cost new...

Ken

Ken Manheimer			 	Nat'l Inst of Standards and Technology
klm@cme.nist.gov (301)975-3539		(Formerly Nat'l Bureau of Standards)
      Factory Automation Systems Division Unix Systems Support Manager

					I like time.  It's one of my favorites.