Biamping

When I biamped my Paradigm Reference Studio 20 speakers with 4 channels from a Carver 5 channel amp it was astounding when I sat in the far field. In the nearfield not so much. I would recommend if you have a larger size room by using a single Parasound A51 5 channel amp, just use 4 channels.

Seems there’s some confusion over what bi-amping entails. Two amps, yes, but configured how? There’s passive bi-amping, and then there’s active bi-amping - the latter goes without saying, because you need more amp channels running speakers actively. Run passively, bi-amping (or tri-amping, etc.) is an option when the driver sections have separate terminals that could also be used for bi-wiring (or tri-wiring, etc.). Outboard active configuration is often just (insufficiently, if you ask me) referred to as "bi-amping" when a pair of stereo amps is necessitated to run two driver sections per channel, but in this case we’re dealing with a passive scenario, and so merely ’bi-amping’ would seem a prudent description.

Actively or passively, bi-amping with a pair of similar stereo amps offers the opportunity to go with either a horizontal or vertical configuration. In the passive scenario however, i.e.: with only two stereo amps, there’s a third option: bridged mode. Generally not well regarded in audiophile circles bridging amps can nonetheless be a clear winner sonically, and one will only be the wiser trying it out in the specific case. Which I would here with a pair of A23+ amps, even going so far to say it’d be my preferred scenario (vs. bi-amping horizontally or vertically) comparing it against a single A21+. Place each a23+ close to their speaker, run a single pair of short speaker wires per channel (and longer XLR IC’s), and see how that fares next to a single A21+ with longer speaker wires - if such a comparison is even possible. Just going by a hunch I’d put my money on the dual, bridged A23+ combo (and with the Paradigm’s being regarded as an 8 ohm load, that shouldn’t be an issue), but that’s just me.

Technically I’m tri-amping actively in my own setup, and while a bridged configuration here would be a tempting solution it’d necessitate six(!) stereo amps, which is simply out of the question. As is I prefer running the two stereo amps feeding the mains in a vertical config., and the remaining third amp for the subs as it can only be configured here: horizontally.

The only advantage with biamping with two of the same amp is having an additional seperate power supply.

The other might be lifting big heavy amps but the A21+ is a VERY good sounding amp, you will not be disappointed. I ran mine with an Cary SLP-98 preamp and it was a really nice sounding system. 

If you are already in possession of said amp and pre, use any old amp laying around and give it a shot. Use the parasound for the low frequencies and the other unit for the high frequencies. It will not be an exact comparison, yet the results may be surprising. 

Thanks for the advice and interesting discussions my friends. I’m very happy to be a part of the thriving audiogon community sharing a common bond through a love and passion for music. I’m seriously thinking of going with the Parasound for the bass drivers and a tube amp for the mids and highs. Rogue Audio has an interesting 100% tube amp at 100 watts and a hybrid at 300. I’m sure the hybrid at 300 would be fine alone yet I’m also in this for the excitement and biamping is exciting. It gives more options too. I have a lot to think about and am looking at more tube amps and hybrid amps for the top end. Excellent discussions.