Details for bi-amping


I am going for a horizontal bi-amping of my system intending to use two tube monoblocs for the mids and the highs and two SS monoblocks for the lows. The issue is that I have to have the same gain of the Pre-amps driving all the four monos in order to avoid a difference. Some Pre-amps have a pair of outputs allowing them to drive two pairs of monoblocks. Would that be a good solution? Would that be a solution at all giving that the tube monos and the SS monos would most probably have different output power? Would the use of a single Pre-amp with two pairs of monos negatively affect the sound quality? Or I should go for two Pre-amps trying to match theeir gains? I will very much apreciate any hint. Tnx.
nikmilkov

Showing 2 responses by minorl

If you are planning on passive crossovers, then unless the amps are identical, you will have gaps or mismatch is high/low output of the amp/speaker setup. Some speakers (Martin Logan's for instance) have switches that allow you to adjust the input of the amps to the speakers for just such an occurance.

However, it appears to me that if you want to bi-amp, then you can;
1) get identical amps for high/low inputs

2. Get an active crossover which allows you to adjust the levels of the amps.

There are some very good active crossovers out there and even your speaker manufacturer may have or suggest an active crossover for you also.

enjoy
Either way, passive or active, you have to decide if you want seams or holes in your system response or whether you want it "tunable" with an active crossover. As mentioned previously, if you can remove the passive built-in crossover easily from your speaker, then, since you plan on spending some serious money on amps, I would imagine that an active crossover isn't outside your price rance, then definitely go for active. If you don't want active, then you would need amps of equal specifications or the same amps. otherwise you definitely will have seams that you will notice. So, after all the posts, the choices are really simple. Active, you can get different amps for low/high and adjust with the crossover. solid state for the low and tube for high depending on your listening desires. Passive, you get the same amps for high/low or amps that are pretty close in specifications and you are good to go. It really isn't rocket science. It is only complicated if you allow it to be. You have two choices.

If you can easily remove the passive crossover, like my Martin Logan Monolith III's it is simple to remove them, since they are external passive crossovers and insert an active crossover to the system (which is what I did), and borrow an active crossover and amps and experiment to make your decision. I am a strong believer that when one is paying a large amount of cash for this type of equipment, borrow equipment first and take it home, insert it into your system and hear how it sounds in your system before purchasing. Asking others for their opinion is okay, however, that is what it is, their opinion. Your's is the only one that matters.

Find good dealers and stores that will allow you to take equipment home for a home demo first. They will have used/consignment/demo equipment or new equipment and take your credit card info. give you the equipment for a week or so and allow you to make an educated decision based on home listening.

Also, get on-line and check. I would bet that there are some active crossovers out there specifically designed for your speakers.

enjoy