First of all let me say hello to everyone here in the forum. I've been reading a lot of posts in the past week or so and I must say thanks for all of the VERY informative posts. Anyway, here's my question. I'm trying to plan my stereo/HT system and I'm trying to decide on my mains. I've pretty much decided on the sub...SVS 25-31PCi. This will be in an apartment setting, too. So the choices are:

Magnepan MMG's or
Axiom M22ti's

This will all be powered by a Sony ES STR-DA2ES. Thanks in advance for any posts.

Jason

In case you have not seen it yet, some time ago I posted my personal impressions comparing the Magnepan MG12's vs. the M22ti's. Here is the thread.

Cheers!

SpockTheatre

Maggies are far more expensive to buy and far more expensive to power.

I would save my money by buying M22's (or better yet, M60's) and a better amp. You'll still have money left over than if you buy Maggies and an amp that can power them well!

Quote:

Maggies are far more expensive to buy and far more expensive to power.

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The MMGs are only USD 550, not THAT much more expensive than the M22s.

My concern with getting Maggies in an apartment setting is placement -- while I haven't had the opportunity to try out a pair myself (because ...), they are quite finicky about their placement. Having said that, they do have a 30 day money back guarantee (similar to Axiom) so "buy" both

As for the amplication, I heard NAD works well (enough) with Maggies.

Thanks to all of your opinions. They're noted. To say a bit more, the MMG's are only $550, contrary to the $1095 MG12's. I'm not really sure about switching to "amps" just yet because of the added cost. To do a 5.1 system I would have to purchase more than one amp and at $500 a pop, that's not very cost effective. Although I do understand concerns about "clean" sound. Now if I'm wrong about this, PLEASE correct me. I'm still new to all of this "audiophile" stuff. One of my other concerns is if the Maggies would handle a 200W 4Ohm load. Their RMS is 40-150W (I believe). I know that the M22tis's could take that.

Jason

There is a dealer I spoke to a while ago in S. Ontario about MMGs and he told me that model of Maggies you're looking at was only available factory-direct - he didn't carry them. So in addition to the $550 USD for the Maggies, you must add shipping, brokerage fees (which will probably make your jaw drop when you see the bill) and taxes. A final price after all is said and done of $1100 CDN shouldn't surprise you if you are getting them factory-direct from USA.

**Now, I *might* be wrong, so don't quote me - I just want to make sure about the $550 USD price of the MMG Maggies.**

(I have auditioned the both 1.2 and 1.6 - they're nice, but not the sound I was looking for and too big for my listening room.)

Well I did some more reading due to OGS20's suggestion of NAD amps. I took a look at their A/V receivers and they seem really nice and it sounds like they would be a bit more musical than the Sony ES that I've been looking at. So now I'm really considering moving to the NAD (T752 or T761). So would the NAD be a significant step up from the the Sony DA2ES in terms of value, sound, and features?

Jason *off to read more reviews ;-)*

So would the NAD be a significant step up from the the Sony DA2ES in terms of value, sound, and features?
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Spock:

IF your Sony is anything like my old Sony receiver I had from school (STR455 or something, early 90s model), and if the NAD AV receivers are anything like the C370, then yes sonically there will be quite a difference. I can't comment on the features because I'm not into home theatre stuff

If you are unsure, you can (I'm assuming you're in the US) try onlines sites like audiogon.com or audioweb.com. You should be able to score these used (but still fairly new) 751/761s at around half their original retail value; and if you don't like it, just sell it and you'll be out just the shipping costs.

I'm quite certain that a NAD product will outperform a Sony product.

I've seen and heard the NAD T751/T761 as I was contemplating purchasing them. I instead realized my budget only allowed for a Denon 1602. They are excellent receivers. Terrific build quality and a sound that is clean and dynamic.

Of course, there's the added bonus that NAD equipment usually continues to work after two years which has rarely been the case with any Sony product I've ever owned.

Have all of you missed something? An SVS 25-31 in an appartment??? I'm glad I don't live in your building!

LOL... Magically, my old Sony 32" tube TV is still working fine after 12 years of service! I now realized that I have been extremely lucky.

Seriously, I have to second semi that Sony products tend to break, usually shortly after the warranty expires.

Actually, TV's are the only thing from Sony I've ever bought that didn't [censored] itself within a couple of years. They're optical drives on the other hand, barely last me six months on average.

The NAD 752 is excellent and powerful enough. Only quirk is that when it gets really hot a very loud fan turns on.