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Bi-amping MartinLogan SL3's?

I'm ready to upgrade to a seperate amp for my ML SL3's (currently using Yamaha DSP-A1 for both music and movies). Options: Get a nice 5-channel to handle both movies and critical 2 channel listening. Or, get a less expensive 6-channel and bi-amp the front three speakers and let the Yamaha power the surrounds. Or, get a nice 2-channel for the ML's only. Or....etc, etc. Does bi-amping make a significant difference? Any suggestions Logan lovers?
davec
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
The best way for a critical music listening is to get 2 stereo(2ch) amps or 4 mono amps for biamping just depending on your $$$. If you will buy amps of a same kind than you won't need an active crossover. If you will buy different kinds of amps the active crossover is a-must in addition.

BTW John, did you use any crossover?
ljgj
955 posts
 
I biamp my Odysseys with a McIntosh 2102 tube amp for the panel and a McIntosh 352 for the woofers - I use a Bryston 10B crossover to give me better bass control in my high ceiling hardwood floor room. This combo sounds fantastic. it even improved when I put a triphazer in my processor loop - those things brought the soundstage and depth of the music to even higher levels.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,254 posts
 
My experiences with the M-L Odysseys is that bi-amping makes a worthwhile difference. Originally powered them with the JRDG Concentra integrated. They sounded pretty good. I then added a JRDG 112 power amp and the sound opened up and relaxed. I was surprised by the magnitude of sound improvement. The system is wired such that the preamp outputs from the Concentra go to the inputs on the 112. The Concentra powers the electrostatic panels and the 112 drives the woofers. No need for outboard crossover since both amps have identical gain. Also by using what is essentially the same amplifier on both speaker sections, the coherence of the sound is maintained.
john_schroeder
17 posts
 
>BTW John, did you use any crossover? Marakanetz

No. I just used the passive crossover in the SL3's and adjusted levels with the Krell. The major flaw in the SL3 is a little discontinuity between the dynamic drivers and the panels. A small boost on the lows smoothed that out, but didn't remove it completely.
douglikesaudio
118 posts
 
Sfischer and John Schroeder, I have an Acurus SS amp I'm thinkng of devoting to the bass of my SL3's. A dealer recommended a Jolida 1801 for the panels. The 1801 is an "intergrated" (with a volume control). So, I would be able to adjust level on the panel in relation to the bass. This sounds simlar to your setups--is it? And--any experience with the Jolida or similar (must have volume adjustment for matching) budget amps around $1500 to use for the panels?
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