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Bi-Amp Basics - NHT 29s

Ok, I think I know what to do here, but I wanted to get thoughts and opinions. I have a decent but dated NHT theater system consisting of 2.9 fronts, AC2 center, and HDP2 Surrounds. I am looking to improve the front sound state by upgrading to a new amp that will drive all five speakers, but using this new amp for only the top end of the 2.9 fronts, and utilizing my current amp to drive the bottom. To get this done, I need an RCA spliter to send the same signal to both amps, and then wire each amp to either the upper posts, or the lower posts (Correct)?

Just checking...

Anyone care to recommend a 5-channel for the NHT system (Upper only on the 2.9s), and a 2-channel for the bottom of the 2.9s?
jbryngelson
rodman99999
6,125 posts
 
Follow Markruss' advice of using an active crossover to bi-amp. Power amps w/o active filtering MUST have matched gain AND sensitivity to provide an accurate frequency response when used to bi-amp(or at least input attenuators). An active crossover will give you the ability/flexibility to balance whatever power amps you choose with one another.
jbryngelson OP
26 posts
 
Im a bit confused. If I did not want to use an active crossover, how would I bi-amp the 2.9's?

I am thinking of using Tubes for the Top end, and my Parasound for the bottom end.
markruss
4 posts
 
Well as Rodman touched on above, you would have to have amps on the top and bottom ends with equal gain if you didn't use the X2 as they would be sharing the same volume control, so unless the tube amp and Parasound you want to use just happened to have matching gain, which I highly doubt they do, you really can't without the X2.

Go to NHT.com and download the X2 owner's manual for more on this.

Hope that helps.
jbryngelson OP
26 posts
 
That makes sense to me now. Luckily, the Parasound does have gain control, so I can calibrate it to match what ever amp I put to the top.
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