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can both balanced and unbalanced be used a once?

Having recently made my first foray into audio gear I now have some equipment hook ups to do before enjoying my recent purchases and am hoping someone can advise me on biamping.

I have two Classe amps, a Model 10 and a Model 70, both of which have plugs for balanced and RCA inputs. The preamp is a Classe Model 30 and it too has both balanced and RCA plugs for output.

Given the above my question is this:

Can I use both sets of preamp outputs, the balanced set (L and R) going to one amp and the RCA set (L and R) going to the other amp? Then one amp, say the one which utilizes balanced plugs, would be used to drive the L and R tweeters. The other amp with engaged RCA plugs would be used to drive the L and R woofers.

Seems to me that would work but I've never heard of it being done that way. Could someone please help?
achen
plato
1,543 posts
 
A lot of preamps with both balanced and unbalanced outputs can drive both at the same time. I doubt that you'd hurt the unit by trying it. That said, the two different amps could have different input loading and sensitivity specs, which could lead to one amp playing louder than the other. That, in turn could skew the frequency balance of the speakers. Still, you could try it and see how it sounds. If it sounds alright to you then you should be good to go. Since these are all Classe pieces, one call to the manufacturer might be prudent...
darrylhifi
498 posts
 
Most balanced outs put out a 3db louder signal and IMO it would be a mismatch.
dannylw's avatar
dannylw
172 posts
 
I have been interested in trying this myself except coming out of an electronic crossover rather than the preamp. My preamp says the balanced outs are 6db louder.

My electronic crossover manufacturer says it can be done, but it also has gain controls for matching.
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