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
 
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
Post removed 
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Hmm. The power tube gets hot but no part of the chassis really does (845 version). If your cabinet is open on the top, I think it'd be Ok.

But why hide them?
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