Review - Sanders Magtech Power Amplifier

[kiwi_1282001]

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[kiwi_1282001]

Review Continued:


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Review References

the Abbingdon Music Research (AMR) AM-77 integrated
the Plinius Hiato
the GamuT DI-150
the Gryphon Diablo
the Jeff Rowland Design Group Continuum 500
KingSound ESL speakers with Sanders ESL Power Amplifier
Details on my listening room

[eRaS]

Great review! Thanks for sharing. Being a transparent amplifier, it seems like you could flavour the sound to your tastes/system with a suitable preamplifier, as you've suggested. I presume the input impedance is also suitably high for use with a passive preamplifier?

[bazza hallward]

wow, look at all those transistors!
i love hearing about new genuinely good amps coming out that are getting more and more affordable... maybe one day I'll get there.

[kiwi_1282001]

Great review! Thanks for sharing. Being a transparent amplifier, it seems like you could flavour the sound to your tastes/system with a suitable preamplifier, as you've suggested. I presume the input impedance is also suitably high for use with a passive preamplifier?

Hi Jian. You have nailed it. The sound can be tailored via the pre-amp. While I did not mention it in the review when I replaced the Cary's standard EH tubes with RCA NOS GTB's an entirely different sound resulted.

Viewed from a strictly an electrical perspective the Lightspeed attenuator should work fine with the Magtech. The Magtech has an industry standard input impedance of 47k ohm and my Cary CD has a 3 volt output level (at 220 ohm impedance) so no issue with drive. The only other important variable is cables and I used low capacitance Nordost. While the Lightspeed + Magtech produced high resolution there were other aspects of the sound which I was not comfortable with. I think this is best viewed as authors bias.

[motionmover]

I also have the Magtech Amplifier mated with a Cary SLP-05 preamp.

The Magtech is powerful, neutral, and full of girth and muscle. It keeps a tight grip on the music and never lets go even if the music gets fast and complicated. The Magtech never loses focus or tires out.

I have a pair of Mark & Daniel Apollo II speakers and these speakers are not the most efficient speakers on the block. They have an impedance from 2 to 4 ohms. Thus they require a muscle amp that can deliver the current to these speakers in order to make them sing. No wimpy amp for these power hungry speakers. But the Magtech more than delivers the necessary power to my Apollo's. A wonderful match made in heaven.

The Magtech delivers clear, powerful and tuneful bass. Wonderfully rich mids and delicate non fatiguing highs. Every detail is superbly captured and portrayed across the sound stage which is deep and wide in all directions.

I am very happy with the Magtech and wouldn't trade it in very anything else even at twice its price of 5k. The Magtech is definitely a great value for my dollar.

Roger offers a 30 day in home trial. If you're not happy with it, Roger will even pay the shipping back. How many in this industry offers that kind of offer? None that I know of. Roger even offers a lifetime warranty. Wow!

Too bad not many other audiophiles are aware of the wonderful Magtech. But as word gets around on how truly stellar this amp is, the Magtech is destined to become a classic.

[kiwi_1282001]

Too bad not many other audiophiles are aware of the wonderful Magtech. But as word gets around on how truly stellar this amp is, the Magtech is destined to become a classic.


Hi Motionmover,

Welcome to AudioEnz and thanks for your posting your impressions on the Sanders Magtech stereo power amplifier.

It seems we are very much aligned on the character and sonic strengths of the product.

You've mentioned your speakers (very nice BTW) and pre-amp but I'd be interested to know what source you are using? Further, have you had any success in further optimizing the Magtech's sound?

Look forward to hearing from you.

[Michael Wong]

Nice twist/homage to the original phrase "the ineluctable mystery of the 60 watt amplifier" penned by Harry Pearson of The Absolute Sound some three decades ago.

[kiwi_1282001]

Nice twist/homage to the original phrase "the ineluctable mystery of the 60 watt amplifier" penned by Harry Pearson of The Absolute Sound some three decades ago.

Ha! Well spotted Michael.

Homage - no, twist - guilty. :)

If you ever get up to Singapore please come and visit me.

[motionmover]

Hi Motionmover,

Welcome to AudioEnz and thanks for your posting your impressions on the Sanders Magtech stereo power amplifier.

It seems we are very much aligned on the character and sonic strengths of the product.

You've mentioned your speakers (very nice BTW) and pre-amp but I'd be interested to know what source you are using? Further, have you had any success in further optimizing the Magtech's sound?

Look forward to hearing from you.

My source is an Accustic Arts Drive 1 MK II and Accustic Arts DAC 1 MK3.

I have put the Magtech on spikes. Vibration control is important with the Magtech. I also use a DIY power cord, audiophile type copper cable with Furutech copper end.

[motionmover]

I also have my equipment plugged into a The Blue Circle PLC Thingee.

http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/blue_circle_peed_al_sea.htm

I prefer the Magtech into the PLC rather then into the wall directly. Just my preference.
Also have to work on a little bit of room treatment, some acoustic foam padding to control some of the highs bouncing off the hard surfaces around the speakers.

[motionmover]

Also, Roger now has the outlet in the back located in the middle, rather then to the right side as shown in your picture of the back of the Magtech.