Using 2 integrateds to bi-amp?

Sorry but I only read all your follow ups after I my first post. Yes go horizontal and use the tube integrated as "A" in my first post and use the tape out to the other amp. Tubes on the HF, SS on the LF. Don't worry about the SPL thing, adjust it to the way you like it. You put the amount of salt and pepper you like on your food (if any) and not what someone else says right? Also don't worry about what Kal says he thinks passive(horizontal) bi-amp is a waste. Those of us that have it know better. It sounds better at all volume levels especially in an optimum passive setup where the amps are power amps and are the same input impedance, gain and sensitivity. LF having about 2X the HF amp is good depending on the actual X-over frequency and type of speakers. Good luck-please report back.

ET

Electroid - see my reply to S7horton but yes, 2 different amps. Jolida 502B (60 wpc) & a mid '80s Yamaha R1000 receiver (100 wpc). Was thinking exactly as you suggest to run upper range drivers with the JoLida and lower range drivers with the Yamaha.

Thanks for your suggestion. I do indeed have a "tape out" on the JoLida (an input to my Nakamichi tape deck that I don't use much). Is this what you have in mind? (not sure what 'fixed tape out not variable preout' means). If yes, it does seem better than running Y splitters to each amp from all sources. If this works, I'll buy you a (virtual) beer and shop around for something better to replace the Yamaha. Thanks again.

Yes, use tape out on the Jolida. Tape out is "fixed" meaning regardless of where the volume is set on the Jolida the level coming out of the tape out is the same. This way it doesn't affect the volume on the other amp.

It will work fine and as you said no Y adapters needed. Let us know how it works out. Also, enjoy the flexibility of the two volume controls you'll have to make things sound to your liking.

If you want to be anal you can connect a tuner, tune it to "dead air" and measure the outputs of your amps with a voltmeter (set to AC) and tweak the volume control(s) to equal the output of each amp. You'll at least have somewhat of a reference for where each volume control is in relation to the other for equal output. In the end I still say set it the way you like it!

ET

Electroid - Thank you very much for another good idea. Very helpful. If you celebrate Christmas, I hope it is a very merry one for you and your family. In any case, I wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year.

I did a similar setup for the Magnepan 3.5. I use the Jolida 1051 int amp 100W for Bass and it's tape output to a Opera EL34 40W tube int amp for treble.

Operation wise - you just turn up the treble volume first and adjust the bass to fit the song style.

Not the best sound one can get but it's workable and for the Magnepan this setup actually by-pass the passive pre-amp for the treble but added extra pre-amp stage. I would say it's about 80% of a good active bi-amp setup which I tried with a Lyngdorf.