Used MG-1 questions

[Noamtasini]

Hi to all.
Purchased a pair of these just a few days ago. They are probably original and not refurbished. They sound great, but it seems the right speaker is a tad lower in volume and less clear in the high resolution area. I rested them just hooked to an Onkyo AVR receiver producing 80W per channel. They will be eventually hooked to a more powerful B@K EX 422 sonata putting out 350W per channel into 4 OHMS.
Is this just a matter of refurbishment required for that speaker as there might be a disconnect of a few treble wires, and the lower volume is attributed to other wires not performing perfectly, or could it be that my test AVR receiver is not up to the task of powering them both equally, or a faulty right channel in said receiver, or right speaker cable etc...?
Thanks for your support and help in advance.

 

[DonH50]

MG-I's are quite old at this point; Magnepan ceased production of the original model ca. 1980 or so IIRC, and the final MG-Ic was around 1990 before the 1.x line rolled out (then SMG, MMG, etc.)

At moderate to low volume, move your ear across the panels and ensure the tweeter section is working in both sides. If not, check (better yet replace, or at least measure) the fuse to make sure it is good.

Swap the speaker cables at the back of the AVR or speakers (with it off!) to see if the problem follows the amp or stays with the speaker. If it stays with the speaker, then swap speakers (side to side) to see if it is the effect of the room causing the difference.

If none of that works, call Magnepan.

HTH - Don

 

[Noamtasini]

Thanks Don for that detailed reply. Thought about maybe replacing the fuse. But thought it either works or wouldn't if burnt. What fuse does it take? Where to get it?
I'll swap cables after this test.

 

[Noamtasini]

Never mind.. Found the Info on back of speaker... Duhhhh

 

[DonH50]

IIRC, the fuse is only for the tweeter section, so that would reduce the volume and make it sound "dull" or "less clear". I had a pair but that was 1979, been a while...

 

[Noamtasini]

I see. Shows 1.5 AMP fuse max. Type 3AG normal blo?

 

[DonH50]

I see. Shows 1.5 AMP fuse max. Type 3AG normal blo?

I believe so. Normal fuses are usually just one thin strip; slow-blow typically have a coil and often a resistor in side (in parallel with the fuse link). It should be stamped on the fuse head if not on the back panel of the speaker. AFAIK all Magnepans use fast-blow 3AG fuses and they warn against slow-blow.

 

[Noamtasini]

 

[Noamtasini]

MG-1 requires normal blo fuses. All I see are slow or fast for sale .. Which should I buy?

 

[Gregadd]

My old memory says slo-blo. Make sure all contacts are clean and tight. If you can, run a test tone into an SPL meter to check levels. Finally let it play at high volume for prolonged peiods.

 

[Noamtasini]

Solid advice. Thanks.

 

[DonH50]

MG-1 requires normal blo fuses. All I see are slow or fast for sale .. Which should I buy?

Fast! Do NOT use slo-blo; Magnepan explicitly says that in all their literature. The two types are "fast" and "slow"; the "normal" term means "fast".

 

[Noamtasini]

Thanks Don. Fast it is

 

[Gregadd]

Fast! Do NOT use slo-blo; Magnepan explicitly says that in all their literature. The two types are "fast" and "slow"; the "normal" term means "fast".

I always defer to Professor Don on all things technical. IME, I kept a pocket full of slo-blo for my MG1. Such was the frequency with which I blew fuses, A popular tweak was to wrap the fuse in aluminum to defeat the fuse. I never got that bold. Better safe than sorry.
I was never able to sell my Maggies. That darn Jum Winey kept upgrading the quality without a significant price increase. It always made more sense to just buy the new model.

 

[thedudeabides]

Hi Gregadd,

Way off topic. Sorry to the OP. Do you own an iFi Aurora? I am getting one to,try in a few days.

On topic, if tweeter fuse blown, would you hear anything coming out of the tweeter panel?