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Need advice for bi-amping or tri-amping Sonus Faber Aida speakers

I am thinking of bi-amping or tri-amping my original Sonus Faber Aida speakers and have two questions:

1. How can I tri-amp when my preamplifier only has two sets of balanced outputs to amplifiers?

2. The Aida manual says when bi- or tri-amping I need to use the same amplifiers for all three speaker connection posts. However, I have seen many posts recommending using powerful solid state amps for the bass connection and tube amps for the mid and treble connections. Which way should I go?

I’m currently using Audio Research Reference 160M tube amps to power the Aidas and have no complaints but I’ve read that bi- or tri-amping them will sound even better. Thanks for the help!

stewartgr

Showing 2 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,644 posts
 

One more thing to consider, if using a tube preamp, it may not like driving 3 amps at once.  Check the minimum impedance.

erik_squires
16,644 posts
 

OP:

You’ll need a splitter or amps that have inputs and outputs. Parasound often have these.

The issue I think SF is concerned about is having equal volume. While there is a convention that power amplifiers have ~ 26 dB of voltage gain, it’s not a law and amp makers may vary from it, so if you plan on mixing amps you would need a way of turning the loudest amp down relative to the other 2.

Also, worth checking that the + and - pins are not shorted internally before using multiple amps.

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