G’day mates! From the land down unda, like no other.
Had a busy period during the first quarter of 2016, too many deadlines to meet, and now all is well and accomplished. To top it all up, two birthdays and valentines during the month of Feb, and now I’m totally broke and looking mighty fine so far!
During the “broke” month of the year, my Quads once again hit the service dept (for third annoying time); now a small fuse and some diodes that apparently failed due to hot weather… whatever.
In the meantime I must report a superb discovery, and when I say “superb” not only referring to the overall sound but also “superb value” from mid-end to high-end- Introducing the MG 3.7i- wow!
Ok, the MG20.7 is obviously the clean winner here in terms of the maggie line up. However, I never realized just how good these are until I heard them properly set up. Main listening room dimensions- 10ftH x 16ftW x 35ftL (the ideal set up for big maggies). Panels placed around 6ft away from the front wall, slight toe-in towards the listening position, around 8ft apart (with tweeters to the inside) and around 2-3ft from the side walls. Listening position 16ft away, ample space behind the seating. Behind was filled with shelves of vinyl (majority were LP’s no doubt). Plenty of CD’s, mostly classical. Other accessories of various gear including vintage amps or should I say top-end stuff during the hay day. Once beautiful sounding, plain looking amp was an old Adcom GF series, and a huge pair of Parasound mono blocks. To another side was an old NAD THX approved amp, another big affair, plus an old Gerrad TT & a Thorens in repairs. The explanation for the old stuff was basically cannot part with any of them since they all have a sonic attribute with a sense of quality for what they’re worth. Did try selling at various points, no luck since many offers were just hagglers, not realizing the true potential of each. Therefore, the gear continues to lie silently waiting for “Mr/Mrs Right”…
Main system: power amps- PASS X.250’s, and ARC Ref 150. Preamps- C2500, and ARC Ref-6. Source TT: Rega RP8 & Michel Gyrodec, with the Rega Aria phono stage (awesome little phono stage btw). Digital sources were not used, although I did see an ARC Ref CD8 and a vintage Marantz CD17 in mint condition. The chap prefers to play LP’s due to the wider selection of labels on hand, plus some of the CD’s don’t tend to read or takes a long time to load. There were other speakers parked off to one side way at the back of the room, Martin Logan Monolith’s, Quad ESL63, and a pair of MG3.5/R in mint condition. Apart from the Monolith’s, I have owned exactly the same Maggies and Quads before, so I was really going bonkers when I stumbled upon these gems!
Findings: the majority of my listening was not done during one visit, rather over a period of time from around Jan ending up till now. I plan to head there this weekend again, to get a dose of digital playback. It was very interesting to learn of different sounds coming from pre-power combinations off the same pair of panels. For example, for a more solid powerful dynamic presentation, the Pass X amps with the C2500 was very impressive. For a more relaxed sound, I enjoyed the ARC Ref 150 with the ARC Ref 6. I asked the chap why he preferred the C2500 to the more “matching” solid state preamps for the Pass amps; his answer was simple, put in a high quality tube pre with the Pass amps and you can tame the sound to be relaxing, yet explosive when required. He also got a dam good deal on the C2500 after trading his CJ CT5 preamp.
At one point he did also try bi-amping the 3.7i as he had done so with the MG3.5/R. His findings were such; compared to the bi-amp config of the MG3.5/R that worked fairly well, the overall synergy of one pre-power combination & 3.7i was far more cohesive, focused and imaging was outstanding with a superb soundstage that fit well together without added gimmicks. I didn’t get the chance to listen to the older MG3.5/R’s in bi-amp mode but I have owned these panels before, and have bi-amped myself. I actually preferred using just the one CJ Premier 11A to drive the maggies at the time.
All in all, I’m a tube fanatic but I can clearly see where the Pass amps excel in critical areas when driving large panels. Having said that, I just had to ask about the one critical area that I'm passionate about- “how good is the midrange, compared to the Quads?” His answer was, “well you cannot beat that Quad midrange, just more open and transparent to near perfection of the real thing.” And that’s about it! Of course when it comes to bass and top end, the ribbon tweeter has no comparison, and the ribbon bass, when driven properly can be quite remarkable, to the point that it is actually highly addictive when getting used to. It is faster and does have a more dynamic slam compared to ESL bass.
Funny thing though I must admit, on specs, the maggie’s low frequency just touches around the 35hz to 37hz mark, whereas the Quad ESL 2905/2912 can go down to 30hz and sometimes to 28hz, I can also feel that extra detail on certain recordings. However, when listening to the 3.7i or the MG20.7 for that matter, the bass sort of hits you sharply and then progresses onto the next couple of notes, it doesn’t have that “drummy” bass effect of an ESL. Another major difference is that the ribbon panels “push” a fair amount of air into the listening area, whereas ESL’s do not push major air. They merely “respond” spontaneously to the signal with a sense of effortlessness. And I guess this is what makes them more relaxing in the midrange, therefore due to this very trait, they will not push much air in the bass region.
In summary: I really enjoyed the MG3.7i as I had done so on many occasions equally with the MG20.7. The major point I was trying to learn is that these big maggies eventually do need to have some hefty beef power to drive them, either around the 150 to 200w/ch mark on tubes and 250 plus on solid state with high current capability. What I want to know is whether a humble tube 60 watter could create some magic with the 3.7i, and so I’m taking along my CJ Classic 60SE for a spin on the maggie track once again. Couple decades ago, I did enjoy very much the Prem 11A with the MG3.5/R within limits. Then again, my listening levels are nowhere close to loud. I have a feeling that it might just work, however I also know that the CJ + Quad midrange magic is so dam hard to beat, including that expansive 3D soundstage.
Which system is so called better: for a high-quality, true value top of the line sound, from a well reputed brand/long standing ribbon producer, I must say the MG3.7i is one outstanding speaker system (also to mention the MG20.7 is simply superb). For such a system to work to its full potential, you must have the amps lined up to the task, no point trying to cut down on amplification with large ribbons. On a more positive comparison, Quads or other ESL’s may not require larger amplifiers but they do require very stable power supplies/current due to their nature of being reactive loads. I have witnessed far too many SS amps go up in smoke or simply shut down when driving ESL’s. I for one could happily live with the MG3.7i without any qualms but I will miss that Quad pristine midrange that they are known for. So no matter how many times they fail or break and end up in service, they will always be my overall favourite speaker.
Cheers to those who currently own or are aspiring to own the MG3.7i- you won’t be disappointed! Please do remember to have an amplifier up to the task. That 3.7i is extremely tempting...
Have a very good one, RJ.
Had a busy period during the first quarter of 2016, too many deadlines to meet, and now all is well and accomplished. To top it all up, two birthdays and valentines during the month of Feb, and now I’m totally broke and looking mighty fine so far!
During the “broke” month of the year, my Quads once again hit the service dept (for third annoying time); now a small fuse and some diodes that apparently failed due to hot weather… whatever.
In the meantime I must report a superb discovery, and when I say “superb” not only referring to the overall sound but also “superb value” from mid-end to high-end- Introducing the MG 3.7i- wow!
Ok, the MG20.7 is obviously the clean winner here in terms of the maggie line up. However, I never realized just how good these are until I heard them properly set up. Main listening room dimensions- 10ftH x 16ftW x 35ftL (the ideal set up for big maggies). Panels placed around 6ft away from the front wall, slight toe-in towards the listening position, around 8ft apart (with tweeters to the inside) and around 2-3ft from the side walls. Listening position 16ft away, ample space behind the seating. Behind was filled with shelves of vinyl (majority were LP’s no doubt). Plenty of CD’s, mostly classical. Other accessories of various gear including vintage amps or should I say top-end stuff during the hay day. Once beautiful sounding, plain looking amp was an old Adcom GF series, and a huge pair of Parasound mono blocks. To another side was an old NAD THX approved amp, another big affair, plus an old Gerrad TT & a Thorens in repairs. The explanation for the old stuff was basically cannot part with any of them since they all have a sonic attribute with a sense of quality for what they’re worth. Did try selling at various points, no luck since many offers were just hagglers, not realizing the true potential of each. Therefore, the gear continues to lie silently waiting for “Mr/Mrs Right”…
Main system: power amps- PASS X.250’s, and ARC Ref 150. Preamps- C2500, and ARC Ref-6. Source TT: Rega RP8 & Michel Gyrodec, with the Rega Aria phono stage (awesome little phono stage btw). Digital sources were not used, although I did see an ARC Ref CD8 and a vintage Marantz CD17 in mint condition. The chap prefers to play LP’s due to the wider selection of labels on hand, plus some of the CD’s don’t tend to read or takes a long time to load. There were other speakers parked off to one side way at the back of the room, Martin Logan Monolith’s, Quad ESL63, and a pair of MG3.5/R in mint condition. Apart from the Monolith’s, I have owned exactly the same Maggies and Quads before, so I was really going bonkers when I stumbled upon these gems!
Findings: the majority of my listening was not done during one visit, rather over a period of time from around Jan ending up till now. I plan to head there this weekend again, to get a dose of digital playback. It was very interesting to learn of different sounds coming from pre-power combinations off the same pair of panels. For example, for a more solid powerful dynamic presentation, the Pass X amps with the C2500 was very impressive. For a more relaxed sound, I enjoyed the ARC Ref 150 with the ARC Ref 6. I asked the chap why he preferred the C2500 to the more “matching” solid state preamps for the Pass amps; his answer was simple, put in a high quality tube pre with the Pass amps and you can tame the sound to be relaxing, yet explosive when required. He also got a dam good deal on the C2500 after trading his CJ CT5 preamp.
At one point he did also try bi-amping the 3.7i as he had done so with the MG3.5/R. His findings were such; compared to the bi-amp config of the MG3.5/R that worked fairly well, the overall synergy of one pre-power combination & 3.7i was far more cohesive, focused and imaging was outstanding with a superb soundstage that fit well together without added gimmicks. I didn’t get the chance to listen to the older MG3.5/R’s in bi-amp mode but I have owned these panels before, and have bi-amped myself. I actually preferred using just the one CJ Premier 11A to drive the maggies at the time.
All in all, I’m a tube fanatic but I can clearly see where the Pass amps excel in critical areas when driving large panels. Having said that, I just had to ask about the one critical area that I'm passionate about- “how good is the midrange, compared to the Quads?” His answer was, “well you cannot beat that Quad midrange, just more open and transparent to near perfection of the real thing.” And that’s about it! Of course when it comes to bass and top end, the ribbon tweeter has no comparison, and the ribbon bass, when driven properly can be quite remarkable, to the point that it is actually highly addictive when getting used to. It is faster and does have a more dynamic slam compared to ESL bass.
Funny thing though I must admit, on specs, the maggie’s low frequency just touches around the 35hz to 37hz mark, whereas the Quad ESL 2905/2912 can go down to 30hz and sometimes to 28hz, I can also feel that extra detail on certain recordings. However, when listening to the 3.7i or the MG20.7 for that matter, the bass sort of hits you sharply and then progresses onto the next couple of notes, it doesn’t have that “drummy” bass effect of an ESL. Another major difference is that the ribbon panels “push” a fair amount of air into the listening area, whereas ESL’s do not push major air. They merely “respond” spontaneously to the signal with a sense of effortlessness. And I guess this is what makes them more relaxing in the midrange, therefore due to this very trait, they will not push much air in the bass region.
In summary: I really enjoyed the MG3.7i as I had done so on many occasions equally with the MG20.7. The major point I was trying to learn is that these big maggies eventually do need to have some hefty beef power to drive them, either around the 150 to 200w/ch mark on tubes and 250 plus on solid state with high current capability. What I want to know is whether a humble tube 60 watter could create some magic with the 3.7i, and so I’m taking along my CJ Classic 60SE for a spin on the maggie track once again. Couple decades ago, I did enjoy very much the Prem 11A with the MG3.5/R within limits. Then again, my listening levels are nowhere close to loud. I have a feeling that it might just work, however I also know that the CJ + Quad midrange magic is so dam hard to beat, including that expansive 3D soundstage.
Which system is so called better: for a high-quality, true value top of the line sound, from a well reputed brand/long standing ribbon producer, I must say the MG3.7i is one outstanding speaker system (also to mention the MG20.7 is simply superb). For such a system to work to its full potential, you must have the amps lined up to the task, no point trying to cut down on amplification with large ribbons. On a more positive comparison, Quads or other ESL’s may not require larger amplifiers but they do require very stable power supplies/current due to their nature of being reactive loads. I have witnessed far too many SS amps go up in smoke or simply shut down when driving ESL’s. I for one could happily live with the MG3.7i without any qualms but I will miss that Quad pristine midrange that they are known for. So no matter how many times they fail or break and end up in service, they will always be my overall favourite speaker.
Cheers to those who currently own or are aspiring to own the MG3.7i- you won’t be disappointed! Please do remember to have an amplifier up to the task. That 3.7i is extremely tempting...
Have a very good one, RJ.