McIntosh 250...can it drive a 4 ohm load ?
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crooner
Tube Marantzed
The MC250 being an autoformer (not direct coupled) design, should provide rated power at all connecting taps. That is, it should also provide 50 watts per channel into a 4 ohm load. This is different from most direct coupled designs that increase power delivery at lower impedances, but at the expense of higher distortion and output stage dissipation.
More important is to analize the frequency vs impedance curve of the Maggies. If they are reactive or display impedance dips in the frequency range, they could pose some problems with certain amps. The MC250 might be able to sail through without problems because of the autoformer. But actual power output may sag a little if there is any given impedance mismatch at the autoformer tap.
Best way to find out is to hook up the speakers to the amp and listen for yourself. Unless you have access to the specifications data, or perhaps a magazine review with measurements.
Best regards,
crooner
More important is to analize the frequency vs impedance curve of the Maggies. If they are reactive or display impedance dips in the frequency range, they could pose some problems with certain amps. The MC250 might be able to sail through without problems because of the autoformer. But actual power output may sag a little if there is any given impedance mismatch at the autoformer tap.
Best way to find out is to hook up the speakers to the amp and listen for yourself. Unless you have access to the specifications data, or perhaps a magazine review with measurements.
Best regards,
crooner
Brian
An Old Geezer
You may want to check at the audioasylum planar speaker site. There is a large ownership group there and they should be able to give guidance. My understanding is that the Maggie design in general is a fairly easy load for amps. Even difficult loads will not present problems for the 250 so the issue, I think would be the power needs of the speakers for the SPL you want. Here the owners of the Maggies could give you insight as to whether the amp has suffiencet power for the SPLs you want and if the speakers are capable of those levels and how they fare with your musical preferences. As for mating, I've had my 250 on several differnt models of Maggies years ago and at least on classicla and at the SPLs I listen at the Mc/Maggie combo seemed like a very good match up.
jt1stcav
Up and Coming Bottlehead
I ran my Magnepan MGLR1s with my direct-coupled MC7200, but at 300 watts into 4 ohms, my Power Guard LEDs still flickered on occasion at higher levels. I exchanged the Maggies for efficient Klipsch Cornwalls (98.5dB @ 1W/1M) before trading up to the autoformered MC250, so I never had the opportunity to audition the planars with the 50-watter.
I would be cautious, though...if 300 watts was barely enough for my favorite pipe organ recordings played at 100dB on the Maggies, than I would assume that even autoformered 50 WPC at 4 ohms would be putting quite a strain on the venerable MC250 at the same level, if not shutting it down entirely! Depending on your musical taste and how loud you play your music, you may have to reevaluate either your choice of loudspeakers or your power amp.
Just my two cents worth...
I would be cautious, though...if 300 watts was barely enough for my favorite pipe organ recordings played at 100dB on the Maggies, than I would assume that even autoformered 50 WPC at 4 ohms would be putting quite a strain on the venerable MC250 at the same level, if not shutting it down entirely! Depending on your musical taste and how loud you play your music, you may have to reevaluate either your choice of loudspeakers or your power amp.
Just my two cents worth...