2. amps-preamps
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Is it ok to Bi-amp using different Brand/model of

amps or is it best to use the identical model for muliti-amping? I like to add another SS stereo amp, to get more snap, quickness, detail, and more power to the sound.

Currently I’m horizontally bi-amping my Hales Concept 5 speakers, which are a 3-way, with a pair of BAT VK-60s. One amp is driving the mid-tweeter (passive XO still being used here) section of the main speakers and the second VK-60 amp is directly powering the woofers. A Marchand active XO has the woofers set between 80-550Hz. A pair of self-powered sub-woofers handles below 80 hz.

The VK-60s can easily become monoblocs. As monoblocs, each amp will drive each speaker’s mid-tweeter section and a third amp, stereo, used to power the woofers.


On the BAT website, specifications for solid-state & tube amps such as; input sensitivity, frequency response, THD.... are all different. Will these differences in specs harm the sound if I were to join SS & valve amps together in the same system? Will timing and coherency be affected? Thank you for your inputs.
norm

Showing 11 responses by norm

norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Stewie,

Here is a site that can answer your questions much better than I can.

http://sound.westhost.com/bi-amp.htm

Regards,

Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Stanwal,

Thanks for the input. The Marchand active XO does have attenuation for each Hz section. My concern is different input sensitivity of the amps. The VK-60 is 1.0V. The SS BAT amps are rated at 1.5V. Does this mean when adjusting the volume on the pre-amp the gain on the two amps change at different rates. That is, do I need to re-adjust the level controls on the Active XO to balance the gain on the woofer and mid-tweeter sections with each diffent pre-amp volume settting.
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Tish,

Vertical bi-amping with my current set-up, would still require another amp to power the woofers. My active XO seperates the low and mid-high signals before reaching the amps.
Regards,
Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Sam,

Going with 4 VK-120's may very well be ideal.I was hoping to aviod more tubes in my system (currently I'm running 46 tubes) and also reduce the number of chassis.

BTW, you have an impressive set of arsenals. I bet it sounds wonderful.

Regards,

Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Thanks Stanwal. That was the answer I was looking for.
Regards,
Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Al,

Ok, gotcha. Thanks.

Regards,

Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Magfan,

You raise a valid point. Perhaps, Marchand (the xo manufacturer) has some insight to this. I will post my findings once I have the answer. Thanks.

Regards,

Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Rrog,

In my case, vertical bi-amping would mean two more monoblocs to achieve my goal. I may end up that way, but for now I like to stick with a stereo amp to lessen the number of chassis in the room. Thanks.

Regards,

Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Stewie,

Having a volume control on the amps would work for setting the correct loudness to the drivers. However, with an active XO, you minimize the IM distortion. IMO, that makes a prfound difference to the sound. Thanks.

Regards,

Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Al,

Very astute of you to notice the slopes are indeed not symmetrical on the Hales as noted on the Stereophile’s measurements. I did experiment with different slopes (i.e. 12 db slopes and did not like how it sounded) but ended up using LR 24 db slope on both the woofer and mid-tweeter section. However, I never tried to duplicate the off-setting slopes of the original design. I will give that a try.

Would you please elaborate further on your 3rd paragraph (“complicates things a bit further, because the crossover will introduce some loss at mid/hi frequencies but not at low frequencies”), didn’t get what you mean. Thanks.

Regards,

Norm
norm's avatar
norm OP
52 posts
 
Hi Ngjockey,

In my set-up the stock Marchand attenuators allows "set and forget".

Do have a preference as to class of power in amps, (i.e. Class A, AB, D, .....) when pairing up with tube amps?

Regards,

Norm
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