I don't have time for a long post now but I can tell you for certain that using 2 sets of speaker cables, even if they are less expensive, is a big upgrade. It usually doesn't work out that way. Most of the time, a single run of a better cable will sound better. I didn't believe how much of a difference 2 runs made until I tried it for myself. Biamping is another matter. I biamp my Vandersteens but I do it vertically, using 2 stereo amps. Now everyone agrees that vertical biamps are the best way to go. I like it better, but thats just my opinion.
Need Advice on Amp Setup w Vandies--Arcam/Bryston
Hi,
Here's the scenario. I have been using my pair of Vandersteen 2 Sigs with a 2W for stereo listening for some time in my "nicer" system, with a more modest 5.1 setup running in a different room off of a receiver. I am moving soon and will be combining my 2-channel and 5-channel systems into the latter for the time being. I have a VCC Sig for the center and will pick up some VSMs for the rears. Right now, I am using a Bryston 2B-LP for my 2-channel amp. While it is very good, I have been wanting to upgrade it anyways. Long story short is that I am in the market for a multi-channel amp.
I have yet to run my 2 Sigs bi-wired, as they are truly meant to be (or so says Richard), instead having single runs of Transparent Ultra with jumpers. I am looking at either a Bryston 9B SST/SST2 (as money and availability on here will dictate), which would put me back into the same realm of using single-run cable unless I switch. Alternatively, I was considering a 7-channel amp (Lexicon GX-7, Cary Audio, or the like) and bridging or bi-amping the L/Rs (but neither lets me do this unless the answer to the following question is yes). Question--do 7.1 processors allow one to do a 5.1 setup and send the same signal as L/R to the extra set of outputs (to have bi-amp channels)? Looking at an Arcam P7 or P777, however, with their loop-throughs, I could feed it from a 5.1 processor (the outs of my receiver) and move to a true bi-amp and bi-wire setup for the Vandersteens (I will get new cables but not on the level of the Ultra, probably just good wire). I am looking for input as to which setup, the 9B or alternatively good 5-channel amp with single run Transparent cabling) would compare to a perhaps not quite as good but still very decent amp with a bi-amp and bi-wire setup with lesser wire.
I know that listening is everything, but my local dealer probably will just have an A38 available that I could then feed out to a 3B for comparison. I know the A38 won't be as good as a P777 would be. I actually did the same many years ago, and that is how I decided on the 2B, as opposed to using Arcam amplification (used their CD and preamp instead). Kind of long-winded, but I appreciate the advice more on how the Vandersteen will perform in the bi-amp and bi-wire scenario. 9B=150W jumpered to highs and lows; P777=150W to each high and low driver via separate cable. Thanks.
Here's the scenario. I have been using my pair of Vandersteen 2 Sigs with a 2W for stereo listening for some time in my "nicer" system, with a more modest 5.1 setup running in a different room off of a receiver. I am moving soon and will be combining my 2-channel and 5-channel systems into the latter for the time being. I have a VCC Sig for the center and will pick up some VSMs for the rears. Right now, I am using a Bryston 2B-LP for my 2-channel amp. While it is very good, I have been wanting to upgrade it anyways. Long story short is that I am in the market for a multi-channel amp.
I have yet to run my 2 Sigs bi-wired, as they are truly meant to be (or so says Richard), instead having single runs of Transparent Ultra with jumpers. I am looking at either a Bryston 9B SST/SST2 (as money and availability on here will dictate), which would put me back into the same realm of using single-run cable unless I switch. Alternatively, I was considering a 7-channel amp (Lexicon GX-7, Cary Audio, or the like) and bridging or bi-amping the L/Rs (but neither lets me do this unless the answer to the following question is yes). Question--do 7.1 processors allow one to do a 5.1 setup and send the same signal as L/R to the extra set of outputs (to have bi-amp channels)? Looking at an Arcam P7 or P777, however, with their loop-throughs, I could feed it from a 5.1 processor (the outs of my receiver) and move to a true bi-amp and bi-wire setup for the Vandersteens (I will get new cables but not on the level of the Ultra, probably just good wire). I am looking for input as to which setup, the 9B or alternatively good 5-channel amp with single run Transparent cabling) would compare to a perhaps not quite as good but still very decent amp with a bi-amp and bi-wire setup with lesser wire.
I know that listening is everything, but my local dealer probably will just have an A38 available that I could then feed out to a 3B for comparison. I know the A38 won't be as good as a P777 would be. I actually did the same many years ago, and that is how I decided on the 2B, as opposed to using Arcam amplification (used their CD and preamp instead). Kind of long-winded, but I appreciate the advice more on how the Vandersteen will perform in the bi-amp and bi-wire scenario. 9B=150W jumpered to highs and lows; P777=150W to each high and low driver via separate cable. Thanks.
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