Horizontal bi-amping for 3a Signatures


I have a pair of PS Audio HCA-2 amps that I am currently using in horizontal bi-amping for my current speakers resulting in an improved sound. I also have a pair of Vandy 2wqs. I have almost certainly decided to purchase a pair of Vandersteen 3a Signatures. I am almost certain I read in one of the Audio Perfectionist Journals by Richard Hardesty (which I dont have access to the copy that made the reference to which I will refer)that audio nirvan is attained by employing horizonatal bi-amping for the 3a Sigs.

I just read the 3a Signature manual and it recommends Horizontal bi-amping. As i read further in the manual, even though it doesnt say not to do horizontal bi-amping specifically, it only gives wiring diagrams for bi wiring and vertical bi-amping. Vandersteen goes further to say, the improvement for bi amping is minimal and suggest the "BEST" thing to do would be to buy the best single amp your budget can afford and bi-wire.

My problem is that PS audio does not recommend to use the HCA 2 in the mono block configuration.

Can anyone clear this up please?
Signed confused owner of apair of HCA-2s.
kyneo

Showing 2 responses by swampwalker

Vertical bi-amping works just fine and there are some considerations that make it appropriate. For example, If you already have one good amp and can get a match at a good price.
Nickword is correct in terms of terminology. Vertical bi-amping is using one stereo amp per channel and wiring one channel of that amp to the tweeter terminal and one to the woof/mid terminal. Obviously, the amps have to be identical in either case (unless you have an active x-over and go horizontal). Two DNA Rev A amps is a great set up with 3A sigs, but if you have the 2WQ sub(s), then I would recommend the 0.5 and spend the extra $ to go to an A+/Platinum upgrade. The idea of vertical bi-amping is to reduce cross talk and increase separation. If you are using one monoblock per channel, you cannot bi-amp, as you only have 2 channels of amplification total. Of course to bi-amp, you need 2 pairs of speaker cables.