AudiogoN
Search Buy Sell Learn MyPage
 Learn > Forums > Amps Preamps > 1242666304  Start New Thread | Log In | Bookmark This
  Bi-Amping without dual pre-amp outs
I own bi-wireable speakers and two power amps. I am splitting the preamp out feed with solid piece "Y" adapters and using both power amps.
It would apear to me that since I'm cutting the line level feed in half that perhaps there is a better way to achieve more resolution. Any experience with bi-amping and/or insights will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Sincerely,

Drewmb1
Drewmb1  (Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

05-18-09
  Responses
05-18-09: Almarg
You are not cutting the line level feed in half. If the two power amps have equal input impedances, you are cutting the load impedance seen by the preamp in half. As long as the combined load impedance is still much higher than the preamp's output impedance, you should be ok.

If the input impedances of the two power amps are not the same, their combined total input impedance is the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the two input impedances.

Of course, your y-connectors and cabling should be of good quality, and should not have excessive capacitance (which would be a function of cable type and length). Excessive capacitance, especially if the preamp output impedance is highish, would roll off the highs. That is true of any line-level connection, but is of increased importance here because of the added cabling.

See the posts by the noted designer Steve McCormack in the following thread. He offers some excellent thoughts on biamping:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1234896660

Regards,
-- Al

Almarg  (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)


05-18-09: Sogood51
I'm pretty sure that most preamps with a second set of preouts are splitting internally for the second pair.

Dave

Sogood51  (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)


05-18-09: Kr4
Sogood51 wrote: I'm pretty sure that most preamps with a second set of preouts are splitting internally for the second pair
They would have to, wouldn't they? Are you trying to say something about how the two sets of outputs are driven. Many (most?) are simply Y-connected internally but some preamps actually have separate drivers for each set.

Kal

Kr4  (Threads | Answers | This Thread)


05-18-09: Drewmb1
Al,

WOW ! ! ! How insightful and encouraging. I'm using MIT 1 meter interconnects and I certainly don't have a shortage of high end frequency. This puts my mind at ease.
Thank you.

Al and Kal,

Thank you also.

Sincerely,

Drew

Drewmb1  (Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)


05-18-09: Sogood51
Kal

Just saying: Whats the difference, inside split or outside split?.....it's all good and well.

Dave

Sogood51  (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)


05-18-09: Kr4
I agree, Dave, there is no real difference between splitting the signal internally or externally UNLESS there are additional output stages internally.

Kal

Kr4  (Threads | Answers | This Thread)


05-18-09: Drewmb1
Once again,
Thankx to ALL!
Now I won't sweat the little stuff.

Sincerely,

drewmb1

Drewmb1  (Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)


  Post your response
Subject


Your response

No html, but you may use markup tags


Username
Members only

Password