2. amps-preamps
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Is Bi - amping worth the trouble?

Hello all...

I'm on the fence with the thought of bi amping. A big part of me wants to go ahead with it... the 'wallet' part says "Not so fast".

There should be lots of folks who've biamped speakers before... When it was all said and done, "Was it worth the time and expense?"

I'm inclinded to add a tube amp for the upper end of my VR4 JR's ... or any other speakers for that matter... though in any case and reardless the speakers, tube amp on top, and SS on the bottom.

...and then there's the thought of keeping two dissimilarly powered amps matched at the same volume level... and the added IC's, PC, and stand... it does seem to add up.

... and at this point, I'm thinking BAT to keep things all the same... and am not sure there, wether even that matters too much...

I sure do appreciate the input.
blindjim
maineiac
649 posts
 
I have been thinking about the same thing as I own VSA-4JRs and have run them with 200W SS and 80W tube amp. There are compromises with each of these. It is interesting that a couple of well respected speaker designs are essentially bi-amped, the Vandy 5A and Von Schweikert 99DB. I think that it could be worth it on the 4JRs.
undertow
1,033 posts
 
Maineiac, your confusing something, those are Active Sub systems in the DB99.. Not really a biamp, its basically a seperate electronic crossed over system. Yes Active bi-amping can be effective like the db99, however we are talking about a passive standard 3 way type crossover with 2 amps hooked up. Different application in the end.
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
Blindjim- Your interest in bi-amping seems to be driven by boredom or curiosity more than need. And, while bi-amping might be an available option, your speakers were not designed with that in mind. I believe that the Vandy and VS speakers mentioned above have proprieary inboard amplification designed specifically for the woofers they are driving. In your application, the matching would be by chance.
If you are unhappy with what your speakers provide, consider replacing them with something more satisfying. If you like what you have, then consider hiring Rives to upgrade your listening environment or buy a Magic Clock.
Otherwise just sit back and enjoy. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
jsadurni
210 posts
 
I feel like the little devil on Blindjim´s shoulder....
Do biamplify It is great you wont regret it!!!
It is really not that difficult, I would not change the speakers a bit, leave alone the speakers Xover just get the amps to run better, active or passive line level Xover is good...
This is a hobbie right? We do crazy things to achieve better sound..So get your hands dirty and work on it!!
Trust me it is great!

Cheers
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
Electronics isn't magic and fairy dust. It's learning and experience. If something is made for a dollar, it can be made better for two dollars. Either that, or you can completely screw it up and call it a learning experience.
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