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Anybody have an actively multi-amplified system?

Hello,

I am one of the very rare breeds that has a fully active system, 6 Jeff Rowland monoblocks running Klipschorns with an Accuphase F-25V electronic crossover in front of the amplifiers, and the passive crossovers taken out of the speakers. It sounds absolutely phenomenal, like nothing else out there. I've been in the business 35 years and have yet to meet anyone (in home audio at least) who has done something similar. It's done all the time in pro audio, yet nobody talks about it for home use. It's widely known that an actively amplified setup simply IS better than any passively crossed over speaker, since the dividing is done before the amplifier, each amplifier only amplifies a certain frequency range, and then the output of the amplifier is connected directly to an individual driver with nothing in between. If anyone has such a setup, is interested in learning more about one, or wants to throw in their 2 cents, please do! It's about time we did talk about this, and I can't believe in all these years more companies haven't actively (pun intended) embraced this type of setup. Also, if anyone has crossover cards for an F-25V crossover, please let me know!!!
crispy98006
c1ferrari
464 posts
 
Hi Crispy98006,

I'm listening to DALI MegaLine III speakers which employ an active external crossover...four BAT VK-150SE monoblocks in this system :-)

Best regards,

Sam
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psag
518 posts
 
Speaker and amplifier designers are invested in the status quo. The proof is that there is no real push to go in the active direction from the equipment designers, even though the results would be superior to what they now produce.

I own the TAD Reference One's, which I biamp passively with the help of a DEQX HDP4. When I approached Andrew Jones for guidance in bypassing the internal crossovers in the TAD's, he gave me the cold shoulder (to put it politely).
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I think the best kept secret in high end audio is how horrible internal crossovers are. I am running 2 Magtechs into Sanders Stats via a digital crossover and the sound (to me) is pretty incredible. I don't usually hear that kind of sound coming from a box with a crossover inside.
lewinskih01
910 posts
 
This has been on my radar for a long time, but for the time being have chosen to get my system to a higher level - I was indeed just starting. I exchanged with Rodman about 3 years ago on this. But technically it makes so much sense, I keep coming back to it.

Taking the opportunity that so many active-ampers are looking at this: please recommend biamp-friendly speakers in the $5-6k range, used ok. I now have a McIntosh MC275 amp and B&W 804S speakers (and 2 active subs). I would be using the MC275 to drive mid/trebble on L&R and would add a SS amp to drive the bass, but taking out the crossovers in the 804S can't be easily done without "damaging" them. Or should I go DIY? I built my subs and am pretty handy...

My sources are all digital coming through a DAC, and have considered the Marchand and DEQ, but lately there seem to be better digital level solutions.
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