I recently took the plunge and decided to biamp my dynamic speakers, and I can
report that the results are pretty wonderful. After using solid state for years
(good solid state), I've now gone with a set of push-pull triode monoblocks for
the mids and uppers, and left the solid state amps to deal with the 15" woofers
on my speakers. I feel that this configuation has made a huge difference, even
before I've applied any tweaking whatsoever to "optimize" it. The sound seems
much more life-like and dynamic and I perceive a deeper soundstage. I suppose
you could call the sound "lusher" than before but I mostly perceive it as an
absence of a trace of brittleness, or a filling out of the mid and upper
frequencies. A recent SACD (Jorma Kaukonen on Sony) yields sounds with an
organic, "fat" quality with clear a sense of clear delineation of individual
instruments and rich higher harmonics. Whatever it is, it suits my tastes and
it has changed greatly my understanding of what my speakers "sound like". I
certainly think it's a worthwhile option for people who are considering changing
amplifiers entirely, or replacing their speakers. I can also report that,
depending on your equipment, it is possible to get very satisfying biamping
results without adding external crossovers, modifying speakers, etc.

interstate5

You may have been lucky, but normally this is very difficult to get working
properly without damaging the tonality and dynamic linearity of the system.
Which freq. area does your woofer cover?

Especially instruments going across the spectrum of the two amplifiers may
suffer. Try listening to some acoustic instruments like cello or bass, and
listen carefully.

If you really like the tubes, you might be better off getting some more
efficient speakers and skip the SS amp.

KE

"goFab.com" wrote in message
...
I recently took the plunge and decided to biamp my dynamic speakers, and I
can
report that the results are pretty wonderful. After using solid state for
years
(good solid state), I've now gone with a set of push-pull triode
monoblocks for
the mids and uppers, and left the solid state amps to deal with the 15"
woofers
on my speakers. I feel that this configuation has made a huge difference,
even
before I've applied any tweaking whatsoever to "optimize" it. The sound
seems
much more life-like and dynamic and I perceive a deeper soundstage. I
suppose
you could call the sound "lusher" than before but I mostly perceive it as
an
absence of a trace of brittleness, or a filling out of the mid and upper
frequencies. A recent SACD (Jorma Kaukonen on Sony) yields sounds with an
organic, "fat" quality with clear a sense of clear delineation of
individual
instruments and rich higher harmonics. Whatever it is, it suits my tastes
and
it has changed greatly my understanding of what my speakers "sound like".
I
certainly think it's a worthwhile option for people who are considering
changing
amplifiers entirely, or replacing their speakers. I can also report that,
depending on your equipment, it is possible to get very satisfying
biamping
results without adding external crossovers, modifying speakers, etc.

interstate5

I bi-amped my Vandersteens and I am very happy with the improvement. I am
powering a pair of 2Ce Sig's with Parasound amps, 85x2 per speaker.

Compared to the single 85 watt channel per speaker the second channel added
really opened up the sound. Added tighter bass and overall a solid improvment.

Now if I replaced the 85 watt per channel with a single 170watt amp channel,
would it have yielded the same results? I have no idea :-)

Jon
http://www.jonlayephotography.com

"goFab.com" wrote in message
...

I recently took the plunge and decided to biamp my dynamic speakers, and I
can
report that the results are pretty wonderful. After using solid state for
years
(good solid state), I've now gone with a set of push-pull triode
monoblocks for
the mids and uppers, and left the solid state amps to deal with the 15"
woofers
on my speakers.

Have any more details about which speakers, and how you implemented the
electronic crossovers?

"goFab.com" wrote in message
news:m471b.164919$Oz4.43214@rwcrnsc54...
On 18 Aug 2003 22:24:49 GMT, in article ,
All
Ears stated:

You may have been lucky, but normally this is very difficult to get
working
properly without damaging the tonality and dynamic linearity of the
system.
Which freq. area does your woofer cover?

The woofer crosses over at 350 Hz.

Especially instruments going across the spectrum of the two amplifiers
may
suffer. Try listening to some acoustic instruments like cello or bass,
and
listen carefully.

I've actually found acoustic piano to be the most useful benchmark for me
(and
having an actual piano nearby also helps to confirm that the tonal balance
is in
the ballpark).

If you really like the tubes, you might be better off getting some more
efficient speakers and skip the SS amp.

KE

What speakers would you recommend? I currently use B&W Nautilus 801s and
would
be looking for something without drastically larger
footprint/height/family
impact (forget Pipedreams and Trios, at least for now) and comparable
frequency
range coverage.

Looks like some pretty serious tube amplifiers, which problems do you
experience by running the 801s on the tubes alone? Do they have problems in
controlling the bass?

Sometimes your ears just have to adapt a little. Try running the speakers a
week or two on the tubes alone, then try the bi-amp set-up again.
If you are addicted to the SS "kick in the chest" the tubes will probably
fail to please.

Although the 801s are quite good and serious speakers, I would expect that
other speakers could be a notisable improvement to your system, especially
with the tubes. As always, depending on personal taste, etc.

I'll mail you a suggestion for a set of speakers I think you should give a
try.

KE



Others have asked about the configuation via email:

-- VAC Phi 70 monoblocks -- N801 upper
posts
Src -- Placette Active -{
-- Krell KAV-500i integrated -- N801 lower
posts

interstate5