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To Bi or not to Bi? That is the question

I have recently purchased a pair of Dahlquist CA2 and W2 speakers. These were/are a fabulous speaker designed to be bi-wired or bi-amped. For those not familiar, there are two cabinets, one for the highs (D'appollito array) and the other cabinet contains 2 6.5" woofers. The two cabinets stack one on top of the other and are bridged together. I currently am using the same amp I had to drive my old speakers which is a "modest" Hafler 9180 (105wpc). Needless to say, I'm not getting the best from my new speakers. What I am looking for help with is in the biamping process. I really like the 9180 which has that warm MOSFET sound and am thinking of keeping the amp to run the top cabinets. I would then like to get a stronger amp (looking at Hafler or Bryston)to drive the bass cabinets. I am a little concerned because I have read differing opinions on using two different powered amps in this configuration - some say they should be the same amp while others say a combo produces good results. What do you think? Also, my pre-amp only has only one set of outs for the mains, so a Y would be needed here - which brings me to another problem - where to fing a high quality Y (I am currently using AQ Opal to go to the main amp)? Thanks for the help in advance! BTW: I do not use an external crossover. Tony
treyhoss

Showing 1 response by edesilva

edesilva
768 posts
 
I was looking for a high quality Y connector and the options seemed to be solid Y splitters, which effectively mean you have to buy 3 interconnects for each channel plus the solid Y, or getting one built. In my quest, however, audioelectronicsupply.com said they can get a Kimber Kable Y connector with 2 6" male leads and a female RCA end for a fairly reasonable price. Because WBT doesn't make cable terminated female RCA connectors, they end up using a chassis mount RCA and heat shrink tubing. Apparently it isn't pretty, but you can get one built out of KCAG if you want.

I gather from my research at some point that there is some marginal benefit to "splitting" at the amp end rather than right out of the pre-amp.

Best of luck.
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