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Magnepan 1.6 active 24db slop better than stock?

I'm bi- amping my magnepan 1.6's with Rane 22b,s.I have gobs of class A and triode power so that no problem.Do I go from my 22b's(to use gain control for each amps plus crossover for my subs) to my passive crossovers or bypass them and go 100% active Linkworth Riley 24db.If I do go active with 24db slope do I have to change polarity on my quasi tweeters.Can changing polarity(low to quasi)(and if I make a mistake)at any time one way or another hurt the speakers?Any opinions or expertize which way will sound better will be appreciated.
128x128swordshield
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
Don't have an issue with op-amps but doesn't it make sense. in general, that two in series will be twice as noisy as one? Whether that's noticeable depends on the implementation.
grege
47 posts
 
Had the 1.6 and did exactly what you are considering - biamped with 24 db slopes. This was a few years ago and I can't remember the xover frequency but I am guessing it was around 1.5k. It was much more transparent with tighter bass. I played with the phase of the tweeter and I think I preferred normal phase. It's pretty easy to try this yourself. The speaker also becomes much more efficient.
G
swordshield's avatar
swordshield OP
8 posts
 
Thanks Grege,I'm going to hook up one channel passive,straight shot right out of my preamp to one amp to passive crossover.No other sub, Magnepans only.Then on the other side I'm going to hook up two way active, Magnepans only no other sub.Back and forth with balance.May the best crossover win.
grege
47 posts
 
Sounds like a good plan Swordshield. Please report back your findings. That QR tweeter can go WAY lower than the standard passive xover, I think I went as low as 900 Hz with interesting results.
swordshield's avatar
swordshield OP
8 posts
 
I sure hope your wrong about freq.Manuel says 600Hz.Just got them going tonight,got the active set around 750Hz ,I thought for good measure to start out at.I want to retube my amps(just got amps- old tubes) before I make any conclusions.My mag .5's crossed over at 1000 Hz.I just set my 1.6 (active side) at 1000Hz [you freaked me out],were did you come up with this 900Hz.Manuel says exactly--- CROSSOVER SYSTEM Acoustical 600Hz, am I misinterpreting something here, is the word acoustical saying something I don't know.Don't want to fry them.Again (please) were did you get 900Hz?
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