Bi-Amping and Y Splitters

[JMac]

I'm considering giving bi-amping my speakers a go but my pre amp only has two outputs (L & R). Is there any downside to using Y splitters so that I can send both the left and right signals to each amp? I want one amp driving the LF and the other HF.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

What amps do you have?

 

[JMac]

It'd be with 2x Behringer A500. They have balanced and unblanaced inputs but no loop out. I suppose technically I could/should use an active crossover in between the pre and the amps but thought this largely unecessary and allow the passive crossover on the speakers to do the work once they received a signa.

 

[DocG]

Yes, that should work fine.

What power amps will you be using? They should have the same gain, or it will sound very unbalanced (either harsh or dull).

Would vertical bi-amping (one amp per speaker) be possible? If both amps match (gain and power), that's a better solution; it's the channel driving the mid/bass that eats nearly all the power, so vertical bi-amping will use the available power more efficiently.

EDIT: I replied to the first post. As you use two identical amps, I'd urge you to go for one amp per channel ('left' channel for tweeter and 'right' channel for mid/bass -- or vice versa of course).

 

[DocG]

That looks like a serious powerhouse!

What's the rest of the system like, JMac (pre, speakers)?

 

[JMac]

I could do one amp per speaker but with it being the bank holiday weekend and I have both amps available I just want to play around.

I'm currently using a MF SDAC as DAC/Pre amp and speakers are currently Tannoy DC6 SE's but they'll probably be changed in the next few months. The Behringer is a very good, linear amp (for the money) and you can really tell the difference that having the power on tap gives.

 

[Anderson]

Yes, that should work fine.

What power amps will you be using? They should have the same gain, or it will sound very unbalanced (either harsh or dull).

Would vertical bi-amping (one amp per speaker) be possible? If both amps match (gain and power), that's a better solution; it's the channel driving the mid/bass that eats nearly all the power, so vertical bi-amping will use the available power more efficiently.

EDIT: I replied to the first post. As you use two identical amps, I'd urge you to go for one amp per channel ('left' channel for tweeter and 'right' channel for mid/bass -- or vice versa of course).

The Behringer amps are fantastic, you need to be careful if bridging them though. They are not rated for <8ohms in bridged operation. If OP leaves them in stereo mode but dedicates one amp per speaker as you've suggested, one channel for bass and the other for mid/highs for each speaker then this should be fine. This is probably what you meant though.

 

[DocG]

Yes, that should work fine.

What power amps will you be using? They should have the same gain, or it will sound very unbalanced (either harsh or dull).

Would vertical bi-amping (one amp per speaker) be possible? If both amps match (gain and power), that's a better solution; it's the channel driving the mid/bass that eats nearly all the power, so vertical bi-amping will use the available power more efficiently.

EDIT: I replied to the first post. As you use two identical amps, I'd urge you to go for one amp per channel ('left' channel for tweeter and 'right' channel for mid/bass -- or vice versa of course).

The Behringer amps are fantastic, you need to be careful if bridging them though. They are not rated for <8ohms in bridged operation. If OP leaves them in stereo mode but dedicates one amp per speaker as you've suggested, one channel for bass and the other for mid/highs for each speaker then this should be fine. This is probably what you meant though.

Yes John, where I wrote 'one amp per channel', I meant 'one amp per speaker'. Bridging halves the impedance the amp sees; I wouldn't recommand that, as you rightly pointed out.

 

[JMac]

Yes, thats what I plannedt to do. Either one amp per speaker or one amp per LF/HF.

So no issue with using a splitter on the pre output then?

 

[DocG]

Yes, thats what I plannedt to do. Either one amp per speaker or one amp per LF/HF.

So no issue with using a splitter on the pre output then?

One of these amps to drive the tweeters only would be a waste, so go for one amp per speaker (one channel HF, one channel LF). The splitter should be fine.

And do report back. I'd like to hear what it's like!

 

[Anderson]

I was so nearly going to get one of the slim Marantz amps and couple it with an a500 but ultimately decided to go with a Denon that didn't have preouts. I realised that I didn't need all that power muhahahahahaha

 

[DocG]

I was so nearly going to get one of the slim Marantz amps and couple it with an a500 but ultimately decided to go with a Denon that didn't have preouts. I realised that I didn't need all that power muhahahahahaha

That's a T-101! RUN!

 

[Anderson]

Stand back, I've got this!

 

[JMac]

lol, no such thing as too much power. Power = control

 

[EvPa]

lol, no such thing as too much power. Power = control

You can have too much high power though.