2. amps-preamps
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Opinions on Upgrade Path

Hi All--

I'm looking for opinions on possible upgrade paths. 

My current system is:  Creek Evolution 100A integrated amplifier with Ruby DAC and Sequel MM phono stage, fed by either Roksan Radius turntable with Ortofon 2M Black cartridge or Bluesound Node 2 (Tidal streaming in lossless).  For loudspeakers, I'm running PSB Imagine T2s.   I have the turntable on a shelf, resting on a Project isolation platform--hardly, if any, vibration can be felt on my turntable.  

Option 1:  Biamp my speakers by acquiring the new Creek 100P amplifier.  It has identical specs to the Creek 100A integrated.  This would give me two amps each driving 110w in to 8 ohms/170 in to 4 ohms.  It would allow me to keep the great aspects of sound that I already like out of my setup, and possibly provide even better control and less distortion.

Option 2:  Switch out the Creek for something entirely different--i.e. PrimaLuna Dialogue HP, Hegel 360, McIntosh MC152 (using the Creek as preamplifier).  Or go Class D, NAD M22, Red Dragon, etc.

Option 3:  Consider changing my loudspeakers out.  I like this option the least as my wife likes their look in the decor and I would like to hear them with more power biamped or with tubes.  But, it's certainly an option.

Option 4:  Change out my turntable.  I have to say I'm not fond of this either as I really like what the Roksan Ortofon 2M Black does together.  

I listen to 75% vinyl/25% Tidal or higher quality internet radio streams.  I have a great record cleaning machine that I'm super happy with. 

Assume that I'm not going down a pathway into more expensive cabling or significant acoustic room treatments as my system is in the living room.  While I cannot discern differences in cabling (over 12/14 gauge good quality copper speaker cabling), I do appreciate room treatments--they are just not a real option here as I'm dealing with an interior design nut on the living room issue. 

Thank you for your help!

128x128jbhiller

Showing 1 response by tls49

tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

One of the best ways to do biamping is using identical amps in a vertical configuration (one amp for each speaker) with an external crossover bypassing the speaker’s internal crossover. See this diagram:

http://www.djsociety.org/Graphic/bi-amp.gif

With the Creek 100p, you would have identical amps, however the only option is horizontal configuration (one amp for high L&R and one amp for low L&R)using the speaker’s internal crossover. Even using the speaker’s internal crossover, it is still best do a vertical configuration. IMHO, I choose option 2, but not a tube amp. Looking at Stereophile’s measurements of the PSB Imagine T2, it doesn’t appear tube friendly with the phase angle and impedance issues. Tube amps work best with a benign load. If you want tubes in your system, then anywhere except power amp.


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