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Bi-Amp Crossover Advice

I have 3 questions:

1)to finally bi-amp my Maggie 3.6R's I need a crossover and I am trying to decide between a Bryson 10b, Marchand 44 or Marchand 126. I plan on using the 2 amps and a sub, so I want to run one amp to the high/mid section of the Maggies and the other amp to the bass panel. Then I want to use the crossover to sum the low frequency and send to the sub (probably below 38hrz). I am shying away from the Marchand 126 because I have read several reviews that say it can color the sound, and I don't want that. I want to hear the amps, not the crossover. So any comments on the Marchand vs the Bryston??

1) I am keeping my Cary CAD 500 MB's for the bass panels, and either using the Cary 120s or (2)McIntosh MC275's bridged. I am leaning towards the Cary for continuity and cost. I am just wondering if 120w per channel is enough for the high/mid's? I am also thinking about the Rogue 150 MB's? Opinions on this set up? I like the idea of the McIntosh amps, I have always loved them, and even if the bi-amping doesn't float my boat, I would prob keep at least one of them, just because they are such awesome amps.

3) With the cost of this "improvement" should I just upgrade my amps to the Bryston 28sst instead? Net cost would be about the same>

Thanks.
macdadtexas
macdadtexas OP
1,794 posts
 
Satch, I am talking active. Both the crossovers I mentioned are active x-overs.

Jallen, I have used the Bryston 14bsst in my system previously, and it is a special synergy. But to be honest, not the best amp I have used. My current Cary CAD 500 MB's I feel are a level above, and I thought the Innersound MonoBlocks were in the same league.

That is good info on the 28 Bsst's though, thanks.
acoustat6
357 posts
 
Mac said, "I want to run one amp to the high/mid section of the Maggies and the other amp to the bass panel. Then I want to use the crossover to sum the low frequency and send to the sub (probably below 38hrz)."

Would you not then need a three way crossover?

Bob

"If the first 100db suck, why continue?"
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
The LP-1 is passive on top/active bottom.It sports L+R high/low outs and two summed/mono outputs (2 stereo/2 mono for subs).
dusty
60 posts
 
I have 3.6R's and use the XM44 crossover. 120 watts on the mid/highs should be enough unless you need "headbanger" levels. I have 150 tube monoblocks on the mid/highs but have used as little as 75 watts. I use a 300 watt SS amp on the bass panel.
Works really well.
If you want to save a few bucks and can solder, the XM44 is available as a kit. I enjoyed putting mine together.
Cheers!
ajackson1
156 posts
 
MacD,

I have experimented with bi-amp the 120s and the 500MB and was disappointed. I did not use a x'over. I used the balanced and unbal outputs on my cary slp-05. The 120s did not provide me with the sparkle that I was looking for. An upgrade to the BEAST - 28b-sst may provide you with better results. The resale on the 120s is not that great either.
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