2. amps-preamps
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Does Bi-amping really make a difference in sound?

I have really been torn in the past week in how I should improve my Home theater stereo System. I presently own the following gear:

Oppo Blu-ray Player
Yaqin Tube Buffer (w/ 6SN7 Tung Sol Oval plate Tubes)
Cambridge Audio DAC Magic
NAD C-375 Integrated Amplifier
PSB Synchrony Two loudspeakers
Nordost Red Dawn Ics
Audioquest VDM-X Digital Cable

An experienced audiophile and design engineer who designs speakers and custom electronic gear has told me that in order to improve my sound drastically I need to Bi-amp my speakers. Since PSB speakers have separate crossovers for the tweeter/mid and bass, that I could take advantage of this and bi-amp them and really make them sing.

I was told that I should buy a another amplifier and use the Pre outs of the NAD C-375 Integrated amp and even tailor my sound by selecting the appropriate amp with the same power wattage.
I am thinking of getting an NAD C-275 or the Vincent Audio SP-331 Power Amp to connect to the Pre outs of my NAD C-375 and bi-amp my speakers with two sets of Harmonic Technology Melody cables running shotgun to my speakers.

I also plan to upgrade my digital cable to the HT Digital Silver cable and maybe the HT Silway link Silver to my DAC to NAD C-375 connection over my present Nordost Red Dawn.

My dealer friend disagrees with my approach that bi-amping will improve my sound as he said he conducted a similar setup with the PSB Synchrony Ones in his store and did not hear any differences. I am wondering if he is just wants to steer me in the direction of getting a Rogue Audio Preamp and NAD C-275 combination, which I have considered as well.

Any expertise and advice in this situation would be greatly appreciated. I unfortunately cannot tryout these situations or go listen to them in a store due to my location and have to rely on people’s advice.
rlh157

Showing 1 response by mechans

mechans
3,048 posts
 
My $.02 on your using Tung Sol Round Plate in a tube buffer. I think it is a shame to use those precious nearly extinct tube for that purpose. A tube buffer is just that, a buffer, where the tubes aid in matching impedances between to other pieces of gear. In your set up I failed to see a real need for a tube buffer at all.
Instead get a 6SN7 based preamp if you really want to hear what those extremely valuable tubes can do. Try them in a gain stage if they are not burned out or microphonic. If microphonic they can also have a significant but less well heard impact as driver tubes.
Another thought would be to buy an integrated with a tubed preamp section although I don't know any off the top of my head any hybrid SS integrated that uses them as the preamp gain stage. Many all tube integrateds use them as drivers or possibly phase splitters and inverters but not usually.
Any of those chioces will have a big impact on your sound. As for biamping I think if you get the right external active X-over you can use SS amps for the woofers and tube amps on top. This is a logical but evidently difficult approach to improving sound.
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