Looking for views on bi-amping


I have a pair of CJ prem 12 mono driving my large Proacs. While not really maxed out, I was wondering if there were any benefits to biamping the speakers other than pure power.

Does anyone have any views on what would be good match. I thought about picking up a CJ prem 11 (a two channel version of the 12's) and using it to run the highs.

I am running Naim and Linn sources through a CJ pre-amp for the front end.
jpremm
One of the merits of biamping that I never hear discussed involves speaker back EMF. Speakers have mechanical resonances. The energy stored in these resonances can be dissapated both thermally and electrically. Just like an electrical motor can be a generator; a speaker can behave like a microphone and feed a signal back into your amp. Because of the long decay times of these speaker resonances, this signal may have little correlation with the audio signal. Now, if all amps and their components were perfectly linear, this would not pose a problem. However, when this 'duplex' signal passes through a non-linear device, these two signals will cross-modulate. This is similar to IM distortion. If you are dealing with a push-pull output stage that has any tendancy to class AB bias, this is a very non-linear operating region. Signals also usually pass through PS electrlytics; not noted for their linear behavior.
If you have read this far, here's the punch line. If you biamp, the back EMF from the woofer will not be able to cross-modulate with the mids and the highs. Since the woofer can store alot of energy (larger mass, longer excursion) in it's resonances, I maintain this results in some audible benefits.
You're talking about passive bi-amping, right?
The extra power will result in some benefits (see above) but is very expensive for what you get.
Using an active x-over before the amps (Active biampng) or a passive one, offers much great benefits.
I have recently actively bi-amped my 2 ch system (with a custom-made tube crossover). The improvement in dynamics, clarity, frequency extensions is remarkable. I had earlier tried passive bi-amping and did not notice much difference. It has been a lot of fun trying a number of different amps for midrange/supertweeter and woofers ( I have a very accomodating local dealer). Thus far I enjoy a 45 tube SET up top and a 300B push pull on the bottom.

Equipment:
SAP J 2000 twins-horn hybid speakers
EMM lab DCC2/CDSD for digital
Nottingham Dais/ Allaert MC-B MKII for analog
sorry to intrude
what about using combination of tube and ss amps for bi-amping...with obviously different power rating...
CJ60ES and Mac MC252
thanks
If you passively bi-amp, you have the problem of differences in gain between the two amps. I have a 2 way external crossover (actually it is a combined crossover/phonostage) which allows to equalize the gain between the two amps. thus I have been able to try different amps for the highs and lows. I have yet to try a SS on the lows.

The other reason to actively bi-amp is that since each ampb is only seeing the frequencies that are directed to it, that amp can work more efficiently. For example, the amp on top is only seeing frequencies above the crossover point for my speakers. So it's "sweet spot" is only working on the supertweeter/midrange horn and not share it's "goodies" with the woofer. My speaker's crossover between the woofers and up top were designed to be easily disabled.

Reg