Bi-wiring marantz MCR610

[Callum J]

Hi, does anyone know if it's worth bi-wiring a set of Dali Zensor 1s to the Marantz MCR610. I'm going to order some 500 strand oxygen free stuff off the bay anyway to see if it improves the sound of the MCR610.

It would be interesting to find out, and any help is much appreciated.

Regards.....Callum.

 

[MajorFubar]

While I've probably not read every thread about the 610 and/or bi-wiring, the only person I ever remember expressing a preference either way said his 610 sounded much better when not bi-wired. That said, you've nothing to lose by trying. If it doesn't work for you, then hey you've bought yourself some spare speaker cable. Don't forget to put the amp in bi-wire mode, through the set-up menu I think (could be wrong...check the manual). Either way, one certainty is that if you're doing it in an attempt to fix a perceived inadequacy with the sound, you're probably going to be disappointed. Bi-wiring, and swapping / changing analogue cables that are at least electrically sufficient to start with, produces differences that are subtle-at-best rather than game-changing. Other opinions are available. But they're wrong.

 

[Covenanter]

Waste of time as is "ozygen free copper". Audio signals will not in any measurable way be impeded by some oxygen in cables. This is classic hifi snake oil nonsense.

Chris

 

[davedotco]

While I've probably not read every thread about the 610 and/or bi-wiring, the only person I ever remember expressing a preference either way said his 610 sounded much better when not bi-wired. That said, you've nothing to lose by trying. If it doesn't work for you, then hey you've bought yourself some spare speaker cable. Don't forget to put the amp in bi-wire mode, through the set-up menu I think (could be wrong...check the manual). Either way, one certainty is that if you're doing it in an attempt to fix a perceived inadequacy with the sound, you're probably going to be disappointed. Bi-wiring, and swapping / changing analogue cables that are at least electrically sufficient to start with, produces differences that are subtle-at-best rather than game-changing. Other opinions are available. But they're wrong.

The MCR610 is an unusual unit, it has 4 amplifiers. Effectively it has 4 digital modules producing around 20 wpc, in normal setup they work in pairs giving around 40 wpc rms, short term. You can bi-wire in this mode if you wish using both sets of cables to one set of terminals or one set to Spkr A and one set to Spkr B, and switching the amp to Spkr A + B. No difference either way.

You can however, put the amplifier into bi-amp mode, where each set of terminals gets one of the 4 amplifiers, ie 20 wpc to each bass driver and 20 wpc to each tweeter in full passive bi-amp.

You will most definitely notice a difference in bi-amp mode, ie the second option, but I doubt it will make much difference whether or how you bi-wire, ie the first option.

 

[abacus]

Waste of time as is "ozygen free copper". Audio signals will not in any measurable way be impeded by some oxygen in cables. This is classic hifi snake oil nonsense.

Chris

It wont change the sound but over time it will corode which will be more intensive with multi-strand cables.

As OFC cable costs no more tha ordanary multi-strand cable you may as well stick with OFC. (I am not even sure whether you can still get none OFC multi-strand cable these days as even the cheap but good quality cable from B & Q is OFC)

Bill

 

[Thompsonuxb]

Personally I wouldn't bother. Doubt you'll gain from it - can't see the speakers benefiting, not from that unit anyway.

Maybe a budget separates system is what you really need.

Best to see what it'll sound like single wired first. Then consider it If you feel there is room for improvement.

 

[TrevC]

While I've probably not read every thread about the 610 and/or bi-wiring, the only person I ever remember expressing a preference either way said his 610 sounded much better when not bi-wired. That said, you've nothing to lose by trying. If it doesn't work for you, then hey you've bought yourself some spare speaker cable. Don't forget to put the amp in bi-wire mode, through the set-up menu I think (could be wrong...check the manual). Either way, one certainty is that if you're doing it in an attempt to fix a perceived inadequacy with the sound, you're probably going to be disappointed. Bi-wiring, and swapping / changing analogue cables that are at least electrically sufficient to start with, produces differences that are subtle-at-best rather than game-changing. Other opinions are available. But they're wrong.

The MCR610 is an unusual unit, it has 4 amplifiers. Effectively it has 4 digital modules producing around 20 wpc, in normal setup they work in pairs giving around 40 wpc rms, short term. You can bi-wire in this mode if you wish using both sets of cables to one set of terminals or one set to Spkr A and one set to Spkr B, and switching the amp to Spkr A + B. No difference either way.

You can however, put the amplifier into bi-amp mode, where each set of terminals gets one of the 4 amplifiers, ie 20 wpc to each bass driver and 20 wpc to each tweeter in full passive bi-amp.

You will most definitely notice a difference in bi-amp mode, ie the second option, but I doubt it will make much difference whether or how you bi-wire, ie the first option.

Presumably the amplifiers are normally used in bridged mode, so by biamping in this way you will reduce the maximum available power to 20 watts per channel.

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Seems still confusion about bi-wire & bi-amp.

I am not a fan of either but many find it improves sq. Interestingly B&W recommend bi-wire for some of their speakers and few manufacturers omit the necessary terminals. A definite suck & see using cheapish cable.

I tried it with 'little short of bell wire' cable in biamp.mode but I went back to 7.1 from 5.1 after the brief experiment.

 

[davedotco]

While I've probably not read every thread about the 610 and/or bi-wiring, the only person I ever remember expressing a preference either way said his 610 sounded much better when not bi-wired. That said, you've nothing to lose by trying. If it doesn't work for you, then hey you've bought yourself some spare speaker cable. Don't forget to put the amp in bi-wire mode, through the set-up menu I think (could be wrong...check the manual). Either way, one certainty is that if you're doing it in an attempt to fix a perceived inadequacy with the sound, you're probably going to be disappointed. Bi-wiring, and swapping / changing analogue cables that are at least electrically sufficient to start with, produces differences that are subtle-at-best rather than game-changing. Other opinions are available. But they're wrong.

The MCR610 is an unusual unit, it has 4 amplifiers. Effectively it has 4 digital modules producing around 20 wpc, in normal setup they work in pairs giving around 40 wpc rms, short term. You can bi-wire in this mode if you wish using both sets of cables to one set of terminals or one set to Spkr A and one set to Spkr B, and switching the amp to Spkr A + B. No difference either way.

You can however, put the amplifier into bi-amp mode, where each set of terminals gets one of the 4 amplifiers, ie 20 wpc to each bass driver and 20 wpc to each tweeter in full passive bi-amp.

You will most definitely notice a difference in bi-amp mode, ie the second option, but I doubt it will make much difference whether or how you bi-wire, ie the first option.

Presumably the amplifiers are normally used in bridged mode, so by biamping in this way you will reduce the maximum available power to 20 watts per channel.

The information from Marantz is pretty vague, just that the amplifiers are paired in normal mode, separate in bi-amp mode, no mention of bridging or impedance matching, that said I don't know how you would do that other than by bridging.....*unknw*

Naturally the amplifier power is much reduced in 'bi-amp mode', hence the fact that you can hear a clear difference between regular and bi-amp mode.