2. amps-preamps
  3. 1155081842

845s: To biamp or not

I have a new pair of Consonance Cyber 845 monos which I'm very happy with. I have tried them full-range on my Hyperion 938s as well as using a Gallo SA amp to drive the bass modules. I seemed to prefer them full-range, but have been wondering if perhaps I didn't devote enough time to proper level matching and should give the system another go with the Gallo amp.

So.. I'm curious: who would pursue bi-amping in this situation? Does the 845 have sufficient muscle and extension to want to run them full-range on speakers that go to 35Hz, or is bi-amping theoretically preferable at least? Opinions?

The theoretical part of me doesn't like the discontinuity inherent in bi-amping. But perhaps I am all wet.
paulfolbrecht
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Tbg,

As I had suspected, your budget is far beyond mine. :-} I think I did very well in the price range with the Cybers. Your system is a level beyond. (Meaning your 10x expendure of cash gets you... 10% further? :-})

Paul
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Paul, obviously merely buying more expensive equipment does not assure an improvement, but the Reimyo is worth the investment if you can afford it and if you have efficient speakers or a small room.

I have never been comfortable with talking about percentage improvements, and I have not infreqently found less expensive components outperforming more expensive components.

I have been at this hobby for 45 years and well remember when I drove my $2100 new Mercury Capri to pickup my three ARC components (a SP3, Dual 75A, and Dual 51). The store manager noted that these three cost more than my car. I dearly wish I could buy at those prices and earn what I presently do.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
I agree that you can't put a "price" on subjective improvements. If $20K speakers do it for you, and you can afford em, then buy em, of course. I didn't mean to suggest it's not "worth it" - it's all relative!

Cheers,
Paul
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Paul, I just got my Cyber 211 amps back after a bad 211 blew two resistors and a cap. While they were being repaired I had Siltech wire put in from the inputs to the front board and the metal oxide resistor replaced with a metal film resistor.

The improvements are substantial. For one the hum was reduced by 1 mvolt and the transparency was greatly improved largely by a cleaner top end. The wire used within the amps seems to be another instance where the cheapest was used.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Interesting. I find the amps to be - heavenly, as I think I said in another thread today.

I have had a lot of gear through my place in the last year. The combination of the Hyperion 938s with these amps and a transformer linestage is the best it's been - by a wide margin. It is also the most expensive setup - so this is not entirely unexpected.

Anyway, I am sure smitten with the amps. Konchlin had this one nailed. If I meet him I'll have to thank him.

Perhaps someday I'll look into upgrading the amps. I'd want one of the well-known hop-up shops to do it, though, and I don't think the ones I know work on Consonance gear (yet).

Cheers,
Paul
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