Thanks for the responses everyone. I much prefer the passive biamping approach based on the information so far.
Jsadurni,
I am using Spendor 1/2e speakers. Sensitivity is 88db and nominal impdedance is 8 ohms. The tube amp has adjustable gain: 27db (1.2V input sensitivity, 0.7db damping, 19db feedback), 32db (0.8V input sensitivity, 1.5db damping, 14db feedback), and 36db (0.4V input sensitivity, 2.5db damping, 10db feedback). The solid state is I believe somewhere in the 30 - 37db range for gain, 0.8V input sensitivity, and zero negative feedback.
I have tried the tube amp alone and even with a passive preamp (K&K TVC) the high and medium gain settings don't let me get too far up the volume control (9 - 10 o'clock) before the sound is too loud. The low gain is most flexible, but also has the most feedback which I would prefer to keep at a minimum. The designer prefers the medium gain setting. The solid state lets me get a couple more clicks in, to around 11 - 12 o'clock.
I do have a pair of EVS Nude attenuators lying around I can also employ if this would help me balance the gain in the amps. How would I go about employing the attenuators and how could I tell if I achieved the right balance. I'm considering sending my TRL D-225 back so I can have an input volume control added to it, but that would only be as a last resort.
Thanks
Jsadurni,
I am using Spendor 1/2e speakers. Sensitivity is 88db and nominal impdedance is 8 ohms. The tube amp has adjustable gain: 27db (1.2V input sensitivity, 0.7db damping, 19db feedback), 32db (0.8V input sensitivity, 1.5db damping, 14db feedback), and 36db (0.4V input sensitivity, 2.5db damping, 10db feedback). The solid state is I believe somewhere in the 30 - 37db range for gain, 0.8V input sensitivity, and zero negative feedback.
I have tried the tube amp alone and even with a passive preamp (K&K TVC) the high and medium gain settings don't let me get too far up the volume control (9 - 10 o'clock) before the sound is too loud. The low gain is most flexible, but also has the most feedback which I would prefer to keep at a minimum. The designer prefers the medium gain setting. The solid state lets me get a couple more clicks in, to around 11 - 12 o'clock.
I do have a pair of EVS Nude attenuators lying around I can also employ if this would help me balance the gain in the amps. How would I go about employing the attenuators and how could I tell if I achieved the right balance. I'm considering sending my TRL D-225 back so I can have an input volume control added to it, but that would only be as a last resort.
Thanks