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Biamping, bass and amplifier type.

I am new to the idea of tube amplification, but not new to the audio hobby (or obsession, depending on your point of view).
My question is, if tubes provide decidedly better treble and mid reproduction and a better image and soundstage, and if solid state provides better bass extension and response, why not use biampable speakers with solid state wired to bass and tube wired to high/mids?
OR
Tube amp for high/mid satellites and a SS sub?
Wouldn't this provide 'the best of both worlds?'
I look forward to your responses.
This is important to me as my amp of the last 25 years just died and I am venturing into a new system.
rhanechak
walkertm
42 posts
 
Yes it would, the drawback is cost. If you go with an tube amp ss combo you have to divide the amount of money you have between them. Most folks I think choose one or the other and so they can put more money into one higher quality amplifier.

As far as Biamping goes....
I used to use VTL MB-450s for the top and BAT VK500 for the bottom. The result was most satisfying. However overtime the constant maintenance of the MB-450 became a bother. I also moved to a speaker that is not designed to be biamped. Made a very hard decision, and sold the VTLs off and now just run my system with the VK-500. I wish I could have put the VTLs on these speakers too, but as far amplification goes I have 90% of the sound quality I had before without the headaches.

However if you can afford it and are willing to care and feed your tube amps regularly it is the way to go.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I disagree. The gain in the different amps will cause issues/imbalances. I would ONLY bi-amp with identical amps. Period.
rhanechak OP
48 posts
 
Would bi-amping with identical tube amps provide more substantial bass?
Seriously, how significant is the difference between tube amp vs SS bass?
I am not a bassaholic. I want it to be there in accurate proportion to the original source.
yioryos's avatar
yioryos
723 posts
 
My system consists of Aerial 10T speakers bi-amped with Rogue audio M150's on the mids and highs and Rogue audio Zeus for bass.I usually listen at the volume control turned at 10:00 or 11:00 position.I get more decibels now but I think the souns was more pleasant when I only used the M150's full range prior to inserting the Zeus in the system.I could be wrong and I need more time to evaluate it properly.I should also mention that my brother visited me from overseas just recently and I had him listen to the system,after 2 songs he asked me to raise the volume ,which I did and then after further listening he pronounced that my system is bass shy and questioned if my cable connections were done right or not,I got offended to his negative comments,and decided to rotate the Zeus being a tube monster power amp with my other amp the Mark Levinson 27.5 solid state to see if that makes an upgrade .Also I thought of investing in an external crossover like the Bryston 10b.
Best regards
George
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