Magnepan MG 2.7i Speakers, $6350 Per Pair With Oval Bases
(72h, 22w, 2d)
Magnepan’s BRAND NEW, MG 2.7i has arrived! Magnepan rarely introduces new speakers. When they do, it’s a big deal. With MG 2.7i, it’s even a bigger deal because this is now the least expensive model in the family to use Maggie’s True Ribbon Tweeter design.
MG 2.7i gives us STATE OF THE ART high frequency detail and shimmer due to its use of Magnepan’s True Ribbon tweeter design. If you haven’t heard Maggie’s True Ribbon for a while, you owe it to yourself to test drive it again. Playing the MG 2.7i with quality electronics casts a wall of music in front of you to lust for. The transparency of 2.7i is absolutely to LUST for. The delicate detail of fine guitar and piano work- along with the unique character of every singer is purveyed by 2.7i to the Nth degree.
MG 2.7i also sounds deeper and weightier than its smaller brother, MG 1.7i. It’s a marvelous marriage of materials to hit a very competitive price point.
If you like your bass taut and under control, you’re good to go with Mg 2.7i on its own. If you want subterranean bass response, we have a myriad of JL Audio powered subs to consider.
Up until MG 2.7i arrived, if you wanted STATE OF THE ART Maggie top end, you had to go all the way to the MG 3.7i with its True Ribbon technology, $9k.
As of NOW, MG 2.7i equals the top end of 3.7i for about a third less money. Given that a lot of our customers go with JL Audio subs anyway, MG 2.7i hits a welcome sweet spot in the line, because the extra bass of 3.7i is moot if you add a sub.
MG 2.7i runs $6k per pair with traditional Maggie feet. Permit me to encourage you to spend $6350 and get them with the much more stable and classy oval bases. Plainly put, these speakers are just too good to run with the classic footers!
Please stop in for a listen We know everyone loves to read opinions online. But there is no substitute for hearing the Maggies for yourself.
Also available, but I haven’t heard them yet, is Magnepan’s MG 2.7X, $10k per pair. MG 2.7X is the same panel as MG 2.7i, but all the electronic components in the road are of a higher grade. Magnepan says there is improved resolution and transparency with 2.7X. I’ll report on it when we get some.
Rogue Dragon Power Amp, $4000 (300×2)
Back in the house after a long back order, is Rogue’s awesome Dragon power amp. Dragon is unlike any other power amp on the market. It has a prodigious 300×2 into 8 ohms and 500×2 into 4 ohms. It uses a pair of 12AU7 tubes and incorporates them in the amplifier’s output stage. That’s right, the tubes are not just linked to the amp’s input stage like other hybrid designs.
Rogue’s owner/designer Mark O’Brien implements his secret sauce, TubeD technology, as nobody else can. The result is, you get an uber powerful amplifier with gorgeous tube color, without the heat and problems associated with blazing output tubes.
What defines the Dragon is its hugely dynamic, breathy musical quality. This applies to vocals in particular. We generally think of dynamic range being important in kettle drum thwacks. Dragon hits those hard, of course. But Dragon’s “magic” is that within an emotive singing voice, subtle intonations and expressions stand out. A perfect example is singer Stacy Kent’s tune “Close Your Eyes.” It isn’t loud or powerful. Yet there are times when her voice imbues emotion to the piece, that you’ll appreciate more with a great amp, than one that sounds a bit drab.
Dragon’s bass is tight instead of fat. Dragon’s ability to deliver granular texture is legendary. What a great combination of strengths to drive any speaker, but especially worthwhile for good sized floor standers that are more than a little thirsty. Dragon is happy with low impedances and has the CONTROL to keep your towers from sounding soggy.
There are plenty of big boy towers out there that sound a sloppy mess with average electronics. You can get much more out of them with a Dragon.
If you’re a Maggie fan, and there are many of us, Dragon is right up your alley. Dragon runs in synergy with all the characteristics you luv in Pans. Dragon with Magnepan’s new MG 2.7i is a thrilling combo!
RIP Les McCann (1935-2023)
The inimitable Les McCann died at the close of 2023. Les had a fun, straightforward style of playing the piano. Many jazz pianists sound like typewriters to me. They’re too busy showing off to let me hear the music. Not Les.
His powerful, raspy voice was iconic. Please dial up two Les tunes I luv. “Hustle To Survive” and “Well, Cuss My Daddy.” If you haven’t been on the Les bandwagon, there’s still plenty of room.