2. amps-preamps
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Does Bi-amping really make a difference in sound?

I have really been torn in the past week in how I should improve my Home theater stereo System. I presently own the following gear:

Oppo Blu-ray Player
Yaqin Tube Buffer (w/ 6SN7 Tung Sol Oval plate Tubes)
Cambridge Audio DAC Magic
NAD C-375 Integrated Amplifier
PSB Synchrony Two loudspeakers
Nordost Red Dawn Ics
Audioquest VDM-X Digital Cable

An experienced audiophile and design engineer who designs speakers and custom electronic gear has told me that in order to improve my sound drastically I need to Bi-amp my speakers. Since PSB speakers have separate crossovers for the tweeter/mid and bass, that I could take advantage of this and bi-amp them and really make them sing.

I was told that I should buy a another amplifier and use the Pre outs of the NAD C-375 Integrated amp and even tailor my sound by selecting the appropriate amp with the same power wattage.
I am thinking of getting an NAD C-275 or the Vincent Audio SP-331 Power Amp to connect to the Pre outs of my NAD C-375 and bi-amp my speakers with two sets of Harmonic Technology Melody cables running shotgun to my speakers.

I also plan to upgrade my digital cable to the HT Digital Silver cable and maybe the HT Silway link Silver to my DAC to NAD C-375 connection over my present Nordost Red Dawn.

My dealer friend disagrees with my approach that bi-amping will improve my sound as he said he conducted a similar setup with the PSB Synchrony Ones in his store and did not hear any differences. I am wondering if he is just wants to steer me in the direction of getting a Rogue Audio Preamp and NAD C-275 combination, which I have considered as well.

Any expertise and advice in this situation would be greatly appreciated. I unfortunately cannot tryout these situations or go listen to them in a store due to my location and have to rely on people’s advice.
rlh157
manoterror
216 posts
 
I did exhaustive research online prior to posting here on this same topic a couple weeks ago. The problem is there is so much conflicting information that you never really feel like you know what the right answer is. So us newbies to this hobby post here to get expert advice from you 'old-timers'. :-)

Look at it as a compliment that we seek your expert advice, as opposed to an annoyance.
rlh157 OP
7 posts
 
Well said Elizabeth and Manoterror.
stilljd
153 posts
 
I have tried both passive and active bi-amping with Magnepan 1.6's. It was an experiment to learn more about audio. It took several months of research, over a year of shopping for another amp and electronic crossover at the right price just to give it a go. Then a week to gut the passive crossovers, rewire, and reassemble the speakers.

What I learned with the Magnepan speakers -

Passive biamping made a small, but noticable improvement.

Active biamping made a tremendous improvement.

As others have pointed out - Active biamping is not for the faint of heart and will require some research and work. Not just to find the gear and get it hooked up correctly, but to find the proper crossover settings, as the passive frequencies and slope may not be the best for active. Also, your system may not benefit as much as mine did with the different speakers and amplifiers you have.

For me, a grand experiment that taught me a lot and ended up successful.

Jim S.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,651 posts
 
11-22-10: Manoterror
I did exhaustive research online prior to posting here on this same topic a couple weeks ago. The problem is there is so much conflicting information that you never really feel like you know what the right answer is.
That is because, unless you decide who to believe or you experiment yourself, there is no answer, only debate. For all the information floating about on the Internet, including this forum, very little is qualified for you.

Kal
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