Is it ok to Bi-amp using different Brand/model of


amps or is it best to use the identical model for muliti-amping? I like to add another SS stereo amp, to get more snap, quickness, detail, and more power to the sound.

Currently I’m horizontally bi-amping my Hales Concept 5 speakers, which are a 3-way, with a pair of BAT VK-60s. One amp is driving the mid-tweeter (passive XO still being used here) section of the main speakers and the second VK-60 amp is directly powering the woofers. A Marchand active XO has the woofers set between 80-550Hz. A pair of self-powered sub-woofers handles below 80 hz.

The VK-60s can easily become monoblocs. As monoblocs, each amp will drive each speaker’s mid-tweeter section and a third amp, stereo, used to power the woofers.


On the BAT website, specifications for solid-state & tube amps such as; input sensitivity, frequency response, THD.... are all different. Will these differences in specs harm the sound if I were to join SS & valve amps together in the same system? Will timing and coherency be affected? Thank you for your inputs.
128x128norm
It is often considered ideal to use identical amps; balanced against this is that requirements for different parts of the frequency range can be very different. The bass will benefit from SS while you can use tubes for midrange and highs. The only thing you have to do is balance the system initially. Since I assume your crossover has a level control that should be no problem; the specs do not mean a lot as they were derived from driving a full range load and you will not be doing this, the sensitivity is the one to pay attention to. The only problem you could run into is if the sensitivity is wildly different and beyond the range of your volume control to correct. This is unlikely and could be dealt with by using attenuators on the more sensitive amp. From reading the forums it appears that many of the members use dissimilar amps, I do not think you will run into any problems and using dissimilar amps in itself will not damage your system.
Hi, Before you buy another amp you should try vertical bi-amping. Use one amp for each speaker with one channel powering the tweets and the other channel powering the woofers. Try it and see if it gets you what your looking for.
Just a suggestion, Tish
Hi Stanwal,

Thanks for the input. The Marchand active XO does have attenuation for each Hz section. My concern is different input sensitivity of the amps. The VK-60 is 1.0V. The SS BAT amps are rated at 1.5V. Does this mean when adjusting the volume on the pre-amp the gain on the two amps change at different rates. That is, do I need to re-adjust the level controls on the Active XO to balance the gain on the woofer and mid-tweeter sections with each diffent pre-amp volume settting.