biamping question

And the OP should be grateful for it.

Kal

I've got 60w dynaco mkiiis running the tops of my VR4s (89db), and a 170w power amp running the bottoms. The power amp has potentiometers for each channel, which I turn down to a little less than half and keep them there. (You can accomplish the same thing by other means). I've used a passive pre to good effect, but currently have them running through a Juicy Music Peach II. It sounds great, and I love the tube/ss combination. I change the flavor of things by switching out the power tubes in the monoblocs from time to time. No way I'd sell those VTLs.

yup, you guys talked me out of it!!! thanks again

Sy, you're welcome!

Stewie, I don't doubt that you have an excellent sounding configuration. And I see nothing wrong with Sy obtaining a second set of amps, or a stereo amp, and trying it in a biamp'd configuration, before deciding whether or not to sell the VTL's (provided that the gain-matching issue is addressed).

However, since his main concern is obtaining more power, my main point is that he should NOT choose the power rating of the new amp(s) based on the expectation that bi-amping will provide a significant power increase. Because it will not, as explained in the other thread that I linked to.

He should choose the new amp(s) such that it has sufficient power to satisfy his requirements while operating alone. I note that the C7 manual recommends amps of up to 350 watts.

Also, the fact that his speakers are rated as being only slightly less efficient than yours says little about the amount of power he needs. The dynamic range of the music you and he listen to may be quite different, the room size and listening distance may be different, and the sensitivity ratings of the speakers may be defined differently and/or be inaccurate.

Two basic points should be kept in mind:

1)Passively bi-amping two pairs of 125W monoblocks will not result in the equivalent of a 250W amp (which is only a 3db increase anyway), and will probably result in the equivalent of very little more than a 125W amp.

2)Passively bi-amping 125W monoblocks on top and a 350W amp on the bottom will also result in the equivalent of very little more than a 125W amp, because since the top and bottom amps will have the same input signals (assuming gains are matched) and the same output voltage swings, maximum power delivery will be limited by the clipping point of the lower powered amp. That clipping point may be slightly higher in the biamp'd configuration, due to increases in its internal voltages resulting from reduced current demand (since it would be supplying current essentially just to the mid/hi drivers, and not to the woofers), but in terms of audible volume that increase will be negligible or close to it.

Regards,
-- Al

al,
thanks for your wisdom!!! very impressive.. i know who to come to in the future for REAL info!!!
be well