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Biamping with tubes and SS: Input sensitivity key?

When biamping a low sensitivity speaker (85db), 4 0hm impedance, with a 800 Hz crossover with a TAD-60 (input sensitivity given as 1 volt or more) and, eg, a Belles 150A reference, with an input sensitivity of 1.4 Volts, and a volume control on the TAD, will it be necessary to get an attenuator on the inputs of the SS amp to equate the 2, since adjusting the output of the TAD will still make it less than the higher powered amp? Is 60 WPC tube power enough to drive the major energies above 800 Hz, which is where mid-range and highs predominate? Is this correct or is there another way of attenuating the input of the higher powered amp? (Not interested in playing with additional or active crossovers. Only in "simple" remedies". Or does someone know of a comparable quality amp with an input sensitivity of 1 volt? I have the TAD-60 and am looking for a suitable SS amp with at least 150WPC with sound similar to the Belles. Unless you all tell me that the TAD-60 is not powerful enough to provide power above 800 Hz to such an insufficient system,then I will look further.
springbok10
gregm
3,405 posts
 
TAD-60 (input sensitivity given as 1 volt or more)
Well, which is it: 1v or more?

It;s not a matter of attenuating the higher power -- for now, just focus on getting the input sens that same for both amps. Or one will output more energy than the other, given the same signal.

You could do this via the xover -- but I wouldn;t recommend it.
You could do this via the volume control -- but only one point will be correct; not recommended.

Strongly recommended: KIS
For all you know, maybe the amps have identical input sens??
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
Sorry, Gregm, just established from Paul that the Input sensitivity of the TAD-60 is 1.25 volts.
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
>>KIS<
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
>>KIS<< was supposed to have a question mark. What is KIS?
aball
2,016 posts
 
With volume control on the TAD, there should be no problem in matching the amps. Put the SS amp on the bass and the tube amp on the highs, adjust the volume for a balanced sound (use familiar music to do this) and voila, you should be done.

Check out my system page - I do the same thing with my JM Lab Electra 926 and I love it. My tube amp has never sounded better!

The TAD will have plenty of power for 800Hz on up. No problem. My 40Wpc tube amp can rock the house and it powers 200Hz on up. As for a good SS amp for the low end, I would highly recommend a McIntosh. It should mate well with the sound of the TAD. The MC7100 is a cheap bargain and has amazing bass with two-settings for input sensitivity - might be a great feature for you. If you can afford more, get a MC162. These are my recommendations.

However, 800Hz is a very high crossover for technically-accurate horizontal biamping. But you might get lucky and have good quality sound anyway. Try it and see.

Arthur
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