Jeff Rowland

I will ask the question and post my response tomorrow. If cost wasn't a consideration I would purchase the 625 mk2. If I had the opportunity to listen to bridged 525s in my system, I wouldn't have posted the question. I know one person that utilizes bridged 525s to drive Avalon Speakers and loves it.
Why not the Continuum S2 integrated. I had the opportunity to compare an Esoteric K01 to the Bricasti M1. Music through the M1 had more detail, more musical, and just natural sounding. Remember I had a Parasound JC2 preamp and preferred music without it. I prefer my money go to improving the amplifier, without adding a preamp. Now if I can't use bridged 525s or can't find a used 625 that has the most recent updates, I may need to look at other options.

Now if I can't use bridged 525s or can't find a used 625 that has the most recent updates, I may need to look at other options.

Richard, to be sure it's clear, using two 525's in a vertical biamp configuration completely avoids the potential issue that has been raised about using bridged amps in conjunction with low impedance speakers. At the same time, it very likely would provide sonic benefits that would not occur in bridged mode, and I suspect would have no downside relative to bridged mode aside from probably having a bit less maximum power capability (although maximum power capability would still be significantly greater than what you have now).

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Hi Richard, yes you are right... I was missing the obvious... From Bricast M1, it's probably a good idea to go directly into an amp via balanced XLR connections. This would be sub-optimal from Continnuum S2, because its linestage bypass inputs are single ended RCA, while CS2 architecture is optimized for a fully balanced signal path.

Guido

Bombaywalla - Your post was factually correct, but I felt it could use some further clarification after you stated: "Ask Rowland if driving 1.5 Ohms in bridged mode will be an issue." I thought as Guido stated that this could be interpreted as if the speaker had a 1.5 Ohm nominal impedance instead of 3 Ohms. No offense was intended to you as your post was helpful and constructive.

I talked to Lucien(Jeff Rowland Group) today regarding bridging the 525 to drive Aerial 7ts. Per our conversation, he discussed the issue with Mr. Jeff Rowland and they agreed that bridged 525s would have no problem driving Aerial 7Ts. I asked him if it were him, what would he do? I was surprised that he answered my question! His answer, "if you're comparing one 525 to a Continuum S2, get the Continuum; however bridged 525s with a Capri S2 preamp will beat the Continuum S2 integrated amp.