2. amps-preamps
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Bi-Amping Possibility, which direction ?

One of my audio systems thinking about biamping.
Have a pair of Pass X600.5 mono amps & Class A Threshold SA/4e stereo amp. Would like to put X600's on the bottom and SA/4e on top for biamping a pair of Sonus Faber Extrema speakers.

I would like to keep the system totally Balance XLR.

My preamp is the Marantz Reference SC-7S1 preamp whichhas (1) Balance Output. But has two Unbalance RCA outputs. I love the Marantz Reference SC-7S1 preamp. But again want to keep Balance configuration.

Should I go out and look for a Balance XLR Passive Crossover ? What direction would you go ? Or how would you set up.

Thank you to all who help.
lawyerman
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I'm affraid that you'll only have a chance to play with biamplification with no success or even decrease your system quality...
elevick
2,638 posts
 
I would try bi-amping without a crossover first. Use the coax to the threshold and balanced to the pass. Then, switch to balanced for the threshold and coax to the pass. See how it works before you knock it.....then tell us what is lacking. Your system should sound amazing!
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
Well if lateral is the way your going you have to have one so why not the venrable Brsyston?I think it does not even come with RCA's you need cheater plusgs to make it work.Not sure that other big company Marchand has XLR's but they have sooooo many models/config's I assume it is the case.
Chazzbo
dannylw's avatar
dannylw
172 posts
 
I agree with Onhwy61. Try to find a balanced crossover. However, matching output levels can take sometime. Your statement sounds like you have only one balanced out but two unbalanced out. I would try whatever you have two of rather than Jerry rigging.
jafox
1,479 posts
 
When I had Magnepans I was all set to finally biamp these speakers. Ultimately the change to Soundlab speakers changed tihs, but the one crossover product that appealed to me was the Space-Tech-Lab tube units. They were available in single-ended and balanced configurations. And with the option to go with a tube regulated power supply, this was a serious step above the Marchand.

Check this out

Albert of Space-Tech-Lab is a very nice guy and willing to help with your specific system needs.

The other model to investigate is the solid state XVR from Pass Labs. This model is configurable like nothing else out there. Unfortunately it is also quite expensive!

John
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