Part 1) However one actively crosses their biamped system, unless the amplifiers used, have the same sensitivity/gain and power, they will only be correctly matched, at one point in the volume setting. At least, that's been my experience. I've been biamping since 1980 and have yet to find an active crossover, that continuously compensates for the disparities between bottom and main amp power/sensitivity. Crossovers that are DSP enabled, will test at a certain given(sometimes adjustable) percentage of power and your outputs will be correct at that level only. I'm using a TacT RCS 2.2X, with tubed mains and SS, on the bottom. The TacT has a control, that allows me to adjust the output of my SS amp, in 1/10 dB increments. My overall response is perfect, at my usual(high) listening level/volume setting. When I opt for a lower listening volume, I have to adjust the output of the SS amp accordingly. Done in a few seconds, via remote.
Maggie owners HELP PLEASE!
Picking up a a pair of Maggies 3.5r cant pass on the deal and need some BI amp help. I do have 2 Hsu sealed ULS mkII's for the real bass but they dont have a high pass output not to mention I like to run my Dunlavys Full range.
Amps on hand are a pass Aleph 5 and an Aragaon 8008BB. Driven direct from a PS Audio perfect wave dac. Both RCA and XLR can be driven simultaneously.
So question is will the Pass Labbs Aleph be able to drive the top end and run the Aragon 8008BB for bass? My experience to date is less is more in the chain? What are your suggestions given the new DSP Xovers and me liking a very pure signal path. Would it make sense to just use a passive volume control for the Aragon 8008BB since that is the power house and most likely to be be over based? I have no exp with Bi Amping below are the specs for both amps.My thought was to use the RCA out into the Aragon while the XLR to the Pass and since again I have no idea what Im doing with Bi Amping not sure if this makes sense or not. Looks like 22Kohm for the Aragon RCA and 25 Kohm for the Pass and 90 Watts at 4ohm for the Pass and 400 into 4 ohms with the Aragon. Also I have no idea what dampning factor and slew rate is and to be honest I dont care... So long as this will sound magical Im good. Ive always loved Maggies when driven correctly but been devoted to my Dunlavys that I will never sell.
My poor kids are just gonna get some old speakers and audio gear when I die.. My son will be happy but pretty sure my daughters gonna be pist.
Aragon 8008BB
Two channel power amplifier; 200 watts rms/ch into 8 Ohms, both channels driven, 5 Hz - 20 kHz; 400 watts rms/ch into 4 Ohms; Input impedance 22 kOhms (44 kOhms balanced); Sensitivity 0.12V rms for 1 watt output into 8 Ohms; THD 0.06%; S/N 110 dB; Damping factor 500; Size 6 1/2"H x 19"W x 14"D; Weight 77 pounds;
Aleph 5 - Pass Labs
Response - 0.5 dB at 2 Hz, -2 dB at 100 KHz Power Output 60 watts/ch 8 ohms 90 watts/ch 4 ohms Maximum Output 30 volts, 8 amps Distortion (1KHz) 1 % @ 60 watts, 8 ohms 3% @ 90 watts, 4 ohms Input Impedance 10 Kohm unbalanced 25 Kohm balanced differential Damping factor 50 nominal Output Noise 600 uV unweighted DC ...
Thanks in advance for your help... please dont let me make your mistakes... "Maggie-one your my only hope!" Yes StarWars Homage.
Amps on hand are a pass Aleph 5 and an Aragaon 8008BB. Driven direct from a PS Audio perfect wave dac. Both RCA and XLR can be driven simultaneously.
So question is will the Pass Labbs Aleph be able to drive the top end and run the Aragon 8008BB for bass? My experience to date is less is more in the chain? What are your suggestions given the new DSP Xovers and me liking a very pure signal path. Would it make sense to just use a passive volume control for the Aragon 8008BB since that is the power house and most likely to be be over based? I have no exp with Bi Amping below are the specs for both amps.My thought was to use the RCA out into the Aragon while the XLR to the Pass and since again I have no idea what Im doing with Bi Amping not sure if this makes sense or not. Looks like 22Kohm for the Aragon RCA and 25 Kohm for the Pass and 90 Watts at 4ohm for the Pass and 400 into 4 ohms with the Aragon. Also I have no idea what dampning factor and slew rate is and to be honest I dont care... So long as this will sound magical Im good. Ive always loved Maggies when driven correctly but been devoted to my Dunlavys that I will never sell.
My poor kids are just gonna get some old speakers and audio gear when I die.. My son will be happy but pretty sure my daughters gonna be pist.
Aragon 8008BB
Two channel power amplifier; 200 watts rms/ch into 8 Ohms, both channels driven, 5 Hz - 20 kHz; 400 watts rms/ch into 4 Ohms; Input impedance 22 kOhms (44 kOhms balanced); Sensitivity 0.12V rms for 1 watt output into 8 Ohms; THD 0.06%; S/N 110 dB; Damping factor 500; Size 6 1/2"H x 19"W x 14"D; Weight 77 pounds;
Aleph 5 - Pass Labs
Response - 0.5 dB at 2 Hz, -2 dB at 100 KHz Power Output 60 watts/ch 8 ohms 90 watts/ch 4 ohms Maximum Output 30 volts, 8 amps Distortion (1KHz) 1 % @ 60 watts, 8 ohms 3% @ 90 watts, 4 ohms Input Impedance 10 Kohm unbalanced 25 Kohm balanced differential Damping factor 50 nominal Output Noise 600 uV unweighted DC ...
Thanks in advance for your help... please dont let me make your mistakes... "Maggie-one your my only hope!" Yes StarWars Homage.
9 responses Add your response
Part 2) Unless you enjoy lower SPLs and have a relatively small room, I doubt your Pass Aleph will satisfy. Until this year I’d been biamping with planars(Acoustat IIIs and various Maggies). Never could satisfy my hunger for clean SPLs, with less than 200 WPC, on top. While it’s true, that it takes more output, to reproduce longer wavelengths(for a given SPL), most of music resides in the middle freqs. At one time(circa 1985), I tried my Acoustats with a Hafler DH-500 on the bottom and a DH-220, on top. OK, but- not great. Reversed the amps and: much better! |
My experience with Maggies running 3.6 over the last 12 years is that they ned a lot of current. They sounded OK with 200 qpc, but when I moved up to MC501s, test benched at 750 wpc, advertised at 500 wpc, the Maggies opened up and bloomed. Just one guys experience, enjoy your new purchase as Maggies are specail. |
The Sanders Magtech is great with Maggies. If you bi-amp, that on the bottom half with a tube amp on top is the ultimate. Nothing like tubes for a ribbon tweeter! Consider the Music Reference RM-200 Mk.2, unusual for a tube design in that is produces just as much power at 4 ohms as at 8. Maggies are, of course, nominally 4 ohms. |
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You can add a high pass filter to those subs ! http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/high-pass-filter.html |