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  3. 157933-147732

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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
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



robert1976 OP
75 posts
 
@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
|                                    |
---------           ----------
             |          |            
             |          |  
             --------

robert1976 OP
75 posts
 
@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?
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
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


onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,236 posts
 
You do not need to bi-amp, but you will need a powerful, high current amp.  To best implement an equalizer you will need a preamp with a tape loop.  Most tape loops are single ended RCAs, but there are some preamps with balanced tape loops.  The other alternative is to insert the equalizer between the preamp and the power amp.  The most tone control like high quality equalizer is the Dangerous Music Bax.

Does anyone know if Tidal has built-in EQ functionality?
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