Idiotic Vertical Biamping Question


I've read a couple of detailed articles on the various kinds of biamping.

I understand vertical biamping to be: amp1 uses left and right outputs to speaker1 (we'll say that's the right speaker); one channel to woofer and one to tweeter; and amp2 does the same, but to the left speaker.

We're assuming a two-way speaker.

Now, I assume that each amp still "thinks" it is sending full-range signals out of both channels. So for amp1, let's say the right output channel feeds the woofer while the left output channel feeds the tweeter. The amp is sending information meant for the left speaker to the tweeter of the right speaker. Same problem occurs in amp2 (but possibly with reversed content going to woofer instead of tweeter, depending on whether the channels are wired identically or in reverse of amp1).

It seems to me this would cause tremendous problems in imaging. So there *must* be something I'm missing; can anyone help me out?

Also, every article I've read discourages bridging stereo amps to make them monoblocks, though the reasons vary. What are your experiences with such a setup? I was specifically thinking of getting another McCormack DNA-.0.5 and having Steve convert both amps to monoblocks, thinking this would be the best performance I could get, but maybe that is not the case?

Thanks for the insight, all.

HC
aggielaw

Showing 1 response by audioquest4life

I am not an exper this field, but I know it is an impossibilty to sum the left and right channels of the amplifiers to receive both L and R outputs from the preamp, unless you are sending out a mono signal or you use an adapter to allow the left and right output cables from the preamp to somehow merge with the inputs of both amps. Therefore, you do not have to worry about having the intended stereo channels crossing into each amplifier. They are separate. Each amp will drive either the left or right signal to the intended tweeter/midrange woofer connection and the amp should be able to supply voltage and current as needed for each driver connection. It is completely autonymous from what the other channel is doing in the other amplifier.

I would love to experiment biamping with some SS amps with my tube amps just to test the waters. I am thinking the new Wyred4sound might be an interesting configuration.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life