CAN Bi-Amping been done Correctly?


Hello everyone,

I have heard both GOOD and BAD reports when it comes to BI-AMPING. I would like to utilize my current TUBE amps for the electrostatic panel of my Martin Logans and then utilize some SS drive on the low-end, Good or Bad idea?. I would like to ask what may, or may not be, a simple question. CAN BI-AMPING BE DONE CORRECTLY? Are there more bad than good related benefits to doing so or visa-versa? What is it exactly I need to pay strict attention to regarding the cabling, speakers and amps? I know this may be a lengthy answer but I would greatly appreciate your experience and advice.

My best,

Mark
3c3mbh
The more I've tried such experiments the more I realize that the best way is to have 2 amps or 2 pairs of monos of one kind. It's not going to go as with built-in servo-controlled bass drivers that are on some of Genesis, Wisdom and other speakers for sure.
I use a pair of McCormack .5 amps in a biamped configeration with Vandersteen speakers. One of the most substantial improvements I ever made to a system in 30+ years of playing with this stuff. I was amazed!
You have to make sure the amps are identical. I don't believe what you want to do is a good idea. Read Richard Vandersteen's article on vertical biamping. For sonic integration, the amps must be sonically alike. I think this would be even more important with ribbons and dynamic woofers. Also, you have the level matching and sensitivity problems with mis-matched amps. Identical amps will overcome this limitation.
To specifically explain what I did, each stereo amp drives one speaker (one left, one right) One channel in each amp drives the mid and highs, the other the bottom. I have the benefits of mono blocks and different loads on each channel. This gets the most out of each amps power supply. It also bi-wires the system. IT DOES WORK UNBELIEVABLY SO! Hope this provides a little insight.
Mark:
The answer is yes, it can be done. You will need an active crossover and need to bi-pass the internal cross-over of your MLs when using two different types of amps. Undoubtedly the gain will be different. I have a pair of ML monolith IIs which I bi-amp--to great success. I'm using solid state on both top and bottom--but your idea is a good one. I have tried using a tube amp on top and it didn't work, but that was because of the great mis-match (in power) in the amps I was using. Your tube amp needs to have close to the same output and needs high current delivery to handle the panels (this is generally not a problem for most good quality tube amps). I would recommend no less than 100 watts per channel (per driver as well). In terms of cross-overs, Bryston 10B and the Marchand are both excellent. The Marchand is a bit more economical.

Lastly, if you are using a class A SS amp and the tubes--better have a good air conditioner or live in Canada--you are going to generate some heat.
Bi-amping is great for sound. The problem is that it is more expensive. Don't confuse it with bi-wiring which is mostly not worth the effort. It is far to complicated to deal with well in this forum. One of the best discussions on bi-amping that I know of on the web is Rod Elliot's website, www.sound.au.com. The article is caled "Bi-amplification-Not Quite Magic, But Close." The article is located exactly at www.sound.au.com/index.html. If you browse around the website you will find it. The entire site is fairly good and there are some other good articles on amplification too. He is mostly solid state. Give me an e-mail if you have any questions after reading the article. Biamplification is great and it is easy to do. Easier (and better) than passive crossovers if you are into that.
Good Luck,
Craig Klomparens

email address: wryder@chartermi.net
I have a pair of B&W 802 series 3's that are bi-amped with a pair of Parasound amps. The difference was nothing short of amazing.