The latest version of the Maggie 1.6 was powered with an ARC tube amp and Conrad Johnson preamp with my North Star M192 (Cary CDP used as transport). First time hearing these speakers I was a bit unimpressed; they were bass light and had an over emphasized top end. I'm guessing this tube system helped tame them, and IMO for $1600 these are probably the best bargain I've heard so far. Setup in a well dampened room, pulled out about 4 feet from the back walls. Handled Opeth and Iron Maiden surprisingly well, something I couldn't say the first time I heard them