2. amps-preamps
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VAC Sig Ren MK2a Headscratcher

I am thinking about adding a solid-state amp (DNA-500) to my system to drive the bass cabinets of my VR-7se's. Currently I have 1 set of balanced outs going to 2 VAC 300.1s that are each driving a VR-7se speaker full range. The other set is driving my subwoofer.

If I disconnect the sub and hook up the 500 to these balanced outputs from the pre, with the 500 speaker outputs going to the bass cabinets of the VR-7se's, will this work? Only problem I can see is that both modules of each speaker will be receiving a full range signal, but only using a portion of it depending upon the drivers. Balancing will be a snap as the volume control will control the 500, with the attentuating knobs on the VACs available to balance the rest of the speaker to the bass.

Will I be doing any damage this way? Is there a better way to do this w/o complicating things with crossovers, etc? Does what I'm proposing make sense? The 7's love power and I had the DNA-500 sitting in a closet.... Seems like this way I can get the best of both worlds, with about 750w going to each bass unit and 300 VAC tube watts (50w+/- Class A) going to each mid/tweet/super-tweet module. On paper, seems like a great idea, BUT...Before I go very far down this path, I'd really like to get some feedback and answers to these questions above.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shine in the tunnel.. :-)

BTW- just replaced noisy Dragon 6dj8 pre driver tubes with Seimens NOS 7308's - quieter(obviously), better imaging, bigger soundstage, more air and a bit tighter bass - after 1 hour!! Will only get better - more expensive but worth it IMHO. YMMV.
fplanner2010
kernelbob
51 posts
 
I had been using Spectron monoblocks full range for a couple of years. When I had an opportunity to get the Double Kronzillas (two output transformers on each monoblock), I couldn't resist. The Krons do some amazing things, but the Spectrons shine on the bass with their grip and definition on the woofers. In monoblock mode, the Spectrons have a 100k bandwidth, so they have the speed to seamlessly blend with the Krons.

I would not recommend touching the internal crossovers nor adding an external crossover. I suppose I could pick up a bit more headroom by putting a high pass filter in front of the Krons, but so far I've never run out of volume and why add more stuff in the signal path? On the VR5-Annis, the Spectrons need to be attenuated by about 3 to 4 dB when both amps are driven by my ARC REF3-- there are lots of options out there for attenuators. The net impedance of the amps is lower than the REF3 published specs recommend, but I've not noticed any audible rolloff of the highs.

I tried the biamping route when I auditioned the Krons just to see if it was worth keeping the Spectrons instead of taking the price hit on the used market. Well, I was amazed how well they worked together and have never looked back. The result is definitely more than the sum of the parts. By the way, my friend is using VR5-Annis also. I don't know if he's going to keep the Spectrons or go full range with the VAC 300.1a.
fplanner2010 OP
283 posts
 
Thanks Bob - Enjoy The Music!!!
dev's avatar
dev
832 posts
 
Interesting, you are using a ARC REF3 pre. I recall reading a thread discusion some time back that the owner owned a REF3 also and paired it up with the Spectron mono blocks and was a desaster, I then read from others whom tried and also did not favour.

I'm still not getting is because both amps are totally different and you are bi-amping such just pluged into the REF3, Correct?

I have personally never heard positive results in doing such so I'm kinda left scratching my head with this one and I personally owned a REF3 for 4 years.
kernelbob
51 posts
 
Mixing different amps for biamping

Dev, sure the Spectrons and Krons are very different amps. So are the woofers and midrange drivers in the VR5-Annis. I don't understand why that matters. The Spectrons have tremendous control over the magnesium woofers with a very high damping factor as well as being very fast. They generate righ, deep bass with lots of information, not just weight. This information-rich bass mates very well with the Kron's similarly information-rich, open, wide & deep delivery through the VR5's mid/tweeter module.

The combo has no hint of discontinuity throughout the frequency spectrum. I was surprised by how well they work together. One thing, the Spectron amps got a major performance upgrade when I installed VonSchweikert/Delphi_Aerospace Masterbuilt Signature powercords. I wouldn't expect anyone to believe the qualitative jump in quality that this provided-- I know I wasn't expecting it to make that much difference. Every time I demo the difference (vs Shunyata Python or Anaconda CX) folks are amazed.

What type of problem would you expect to see "just plugged into the REF3"? The only thing one needs to do is to adjust the volume to the Spectrons with an in-line attenuator of some type to reduce their volume by 3 or 4 dB.
fplanner2010 OP
283 posts
 
Thanks Bob. What kind of attenuators are you using? I'm using balanced cables between pre and amps. Scott Endler's 24 step variable looks best, but he's several months behind in production and I can't find any balanced used. Rothwell fixed at 10 is also an option, but they are literally out of stock in England and I can't find any balanced here. Find plenty of microphone attenuators and pads, but have been told they won't work for my application.

Any suggestions of balanced in-line attenuators that are actually available? WOn't now for sure I'll need them until this weekend - for now, I'm 90% sure I will. Thanks
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