Will this amp trick work for increasing bass performance?


I'm considering matching Focal Utopia Scala Evo with two amps for bi-amping, to separate bass and mid/high. 

I'm considering the Pass Labs XP-32 pre-amp, which has individual volume controls for each channel/amp. By slightly increasing bass amp volume over mid/high amp volume, I get to feel more punch from the 11" woofers. The crossover in the Focals cuts off at 220Hz, so only bass and sub bass are affected.

Which two power amps would you consider? Power amp budget is about $30K. Was told Focals like power, so >250W for bass amp seems the minimum. Pre amp will likely be Pass Labs XP-32.
Maybe Pass Labs X250.8 + X150.8 or X250.8 + XA60.8?

Your thoughts please? Any other ideas to get more bass performance from the 11" woofers in the Focals? Subwoofer is not an option. I know McIntosh has a pre-amp with equalizer, which would solve the problem too. But I always thought EQs are a no-no.
robert1976
Few points to consider before spending $30k for amplifiers. Your speaker 3dB frequency cutoffs are 27 Hz - 40 kHz. Specifications says low frequency point is 24 Hz at -6 dB.

Since you are not going to use any sub-woofers, your listening room dimensions must be able to reproduce the low frequency granted you have software that goes that low (e.g., pipe organ music). At sea-level, your room should be at least 23 ft long to correctly reproduce 24 Hz signal. You can get away with 20 ft long room if all you need is down to 27 Hz which I think would be the case. The lowest frequency on a grand piano is 27.5 Hz, which is almost at the start of the human hearing range

Yes, I agree you will need a muscle amp to reproduce bass because it is all about pushing heavy air mass. Sensitivity is 92 dB, but impedance drops to 3.2 Ohms. I would look for a SS amp that can deliver plenty of current. At your price point, there are many choices including Boulder amps for an example.

Good Luck
robert1976 OP

One of these could work wonders for you, they are very transparent and have great adjustablity of ranges. for just $149
And you can send it back after 14 days of trial.
https://www.schiit.com/products/loki

Here’s a graph on what it can do, I have one in my kit and love it when needed, for certain system setups and you just need, one good amp!!!! and a preamp or source with volume and this goes between them.
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-loki-eq-measurements.5153/

Cheers George



@pwerahera Thanks for chiming in. It's not a dedicated listening room; it's my living room. It's 30ft wide and 28ft deep, with openings to the left and back. The X and * mark speakers and listening position:

                        30ft
             -----------------
             |      *       *       |
---------           x           | 28ft
|                                    |
---------           ----------
             |          |            
             |          |  
             --------

@georgehifi Thanks for the suggestion! If it's very transparent, it can't hurt to try it out. Currently I use XLR from pre to power amp.
Using this tone controller means I have to go RCA all the way right?

Would changing from XLR to RCA make any difference?
robert1976 OP
Using this tone controller means I have to go RCA all the way right?
Yes you will have to do that.

Would changing from XLR to RCA make any difference?
Only benefit for xlr if the interconnects are very long >10mts xlr then helps for noise if any.
And in some cases rca sounds better, as the xlr input and outputs on many bits of equipment are fake! Using balanced opamps with what is single ended circuitry throughout, so the rca input or output in these cases bypasses those balanced opamps and goes straight to the single ended circuitry input or output.

Cheers George