2. amps-preamps
  3. 1255395054

Bi-Amp Crossover Advice

I have 3 questions:

1)to finally bi-amp my Maggie 3.6R's I need a crossover and I am trying to decide between a Bryson 10b, Marchand 44 or Marchand 126. I plan on using the 2 amps and a sub, so I want to run one amp to the high/mid section of the Maggies and the other amp to the bass panel. Then I want to use the crossover to sum the low frequency and send to the sub (probably below 38hrz). I am shying away from the Marchand 126 because I have read several reviews that say it can color the sound, and I don't want that. I want to hear the amps, not the crossover. So any comments on the Marchand vs the Bryston??

1) I am keeping my Cary CAD 500 MB's for the bass panels, and either using the Cary 120s or (2)McIntosh MC275's bridged. I am leaning towards the Cary for continuity and cost. I am just wondering if 120w per channel is enough for the high/mid's? I am also thinking about the Rogue 150 MB's? Opinions on this set up? I like the idea of the McIntosh amps, I have always loved them, and even if the bi-amping doesn't float my boat, I would prob keep at least one of them, just because they are such awesome amps.

3) With the cost of this "improvement" should I just upgrade my amps to the Bryston 28sst instead? Net cost would be about the same>

Thanks.
macdadtexas

Showing 1 response by don_c55

don_c55
1,025 posts
 
Buy one "quality" amp to run the 3.6's! Bi-Amping is over rated.

I have tried the Bryston and it is not a great xover. I also tried the expensive Pass XV1 and gave up! To Bi-Amp correctly you need two identical amps, because at the crossover point "both" amps are running, and any difference will show up as distortion.

You also need much more cabling, and an excellent active xover that can be set in 0.5 dB steps with proper filter types.

IMO you will not beat the stock 3.6 xover after long term careful listening. The slight advantage of lower IM distortion and increased dynamics, is overtaken with the typical drawbacks.
More to discover