Need advice: Biamping vs. dual bridged monos


I am now the proud owner of two Classe CA-100 power amps. I had one, loved it, then saw another available at an excellent price and couldn't walk away without it. So now I've got two.

...But now I need some guidance. With two 2-channel amps, what is the best way to power my speakers (Magnepan 3.5 in stock form, no modifications)?

I could use the CA-100s in mono mode; in mono mode they are rated (per the manufacturer's specs) for 350 watts each into 8 ohms, or 600W into 4 ohms.

Or I could use them in stereo mode and bi-amp my Maggies.

Which method is generally regarded as the better method?

If I go with bi-amping, then I need to get a new preamp because my old Denon preamp has only one set of pre-outs. Or is there a suitable way around that too?

Any insight you all can provide is greatly appreciated. As you can tell, I didn't put a lot of planning and forethought into this, I just saw a great deal on a Classe CA-100 and couldn't walk away from it.

Thanks!
Ag insider logo xs@2xdoug_in_virginia
Bridging reduces the ability to drive low impedance loads; there should be material on this in the archives. If this is not a problem try it both ways and see for yourself. I used Y connectors when I bi amped with no problem or you could have another set of jacks installed or a pair of your current ones rewired. I doubt if your Denon is up to the level of the Classe or Maggies but if you like it use it. I personally would go with bi amping but YMMV.
Although I have no experience with the CA-100's, the Maggies are not that difficult a load, despite their power appetite and low impedance.

Tried to do some research on the CA-100's and found mixed results for bridging. By the specs, they should be capable and they are rated for bridged operation into 4 ohms. For best results, use XLR interconnects if possible because the amp becomes differentially balanced when bridged.

This assumes that they are actually bridged as opposed to being "parallelled", which is not always a safe assumption.

Wouldn't hurt to try.
biamp power needs are based on crossover frequency.
The 50:50 point is (around) 350hz. So, if the crossover is higher, the bass amp will run out of steam first...if the crossover is lower, the treble amp will have problems at the highest levels.

You could, and are probablly thinking to do a lo/ mid-hi split which would be just fine.
I have compared this several times with different amps, and universally I have preferred the Mono configuration with bi-wiring to running two Stereo amps.

I run two Pathos Classic One MkIII integrateds (reviewed) and always run them Mono when not using them with an active x-over (a special configuration which requires more channels of amplification, thus running them in stereo). Mono is almost always perceptually more pleasing due to the improved macrodynamics, often without harm to the definition and in some cases a nice improvement of definition.

I also have two Cambridge Audio Azur 840W amps, which are also configurable as stereo, dual mono or single mono. When using them in single mono mode the increase in dynamics and expansiveness of soundstage is considerable. Again, I always biwire to take full advantage of the amp/speaker interface.

Watch your cabling very carefully; pay especially close attention to the power cords used with the amps, as they have a huge impact on the amps' sound. In any system I establish the change of the two power cords on the Monos results in a big shift in the system's sound. Not only does conductor material (i.e. silver coated copper vs. solid copper) but total gauge have an influence upon the results.