• Biamp options - Satie 12:56:05 06/13/09 (4)
  In Reply to: RE: Help: Recommed Amp Upgrade for Magnepan 3.6 posted by nicoff on June 13, 2009 at 05:16:46

  Instructions are available in your manual, Pg 10
  
  For this you need an electronic crossover such as provided by Marchand
  http://www.marchandelec.com/
  Bryston
  Audio Research
  Krell
  If you are all digital consider the Behringer digital crossover, it can be modified by Endleraudio (cheap and effective), RAM, Tweakaudio, and Underwood HiFi http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?misceqal&1247877576
  
  Also, as an initial effort, instead of biwiring (manual page 11) from one amp, connect the bass wires to the new bass amp. It is not as big a change as with an electronic crossover, it is still a major improvement simply due to lowering the strain on the upper amplifier.
  
  An interesting option for amplification is a multichannel amp like the Parasound 52 and the Adcom 7805, http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/304adcom/ Or any of the great amplifier builder's multichannel efforts. Many were reviewed by AV revolution http://www.avrev.com/equipment-reviews/equipment+reviews/home+theater+power+amplifiers/multi-channel+amplifiers/order/rdate/limit/5/start/0.html
  
  Good luck
  

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  • RE: Biamp options - nicoff 15:00:24 06/13/09 (3)
    In Reply to: RE: Biamp options posted by Satie on June 13, 2009 at 12:56:05

    Satie,
    Thank you very much for your informative post.
    
    I already have a spare multichannel amp. It is a Classe CA-150, a 6 channel amp rated at 150wpc @ 8 ohms (it can be bridged to 3 channels @ 300 wpc). I also have the Classe CA-300 (2 channels @ 300 wpc @ 8 ohms) which I am using to drive the MG-3.6.
    
    Based on what you wrote, it sounds as if all I have to do is buy the Behringer digital crossover (a new one, unmodified, sells for $300 on the net) and some speaker cable (I am sure I have spare cables somewhere) and start experimenting.
    
    Which amp would you use for the bass and which for the mid/treble?
    

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    • RE: Biamp options - Satie 19:25:07 06/13/09 (2)
      In Reply to: RE: Biamp options posted by nicoff on June 13, 2009 at 15:00:24

      
      Looks like you are all set for a start.
      
      I suggest you use the stereo amp on the bass and the bridged amp on the top. The bridged amp will have less current available than the stereo amp at the same output power rating so it should be placed on the lower power load, which would be the mid/treble section. You will also have the benefit of a true balanced differential amp when using the bridged multichannel on the mid/treble.
      
      If you intend to use the Behringer, you need to note the following:
      -You will use the digital input to the DCX right off of your CD player or DVD/SACD.
      -You will need a volume control on the line outputs for each of the 4 signals coming off the Behringer. This will require either 2 preamps (Economical choices are King Rex for new or Acurus/Aragon line stages for used) or passive in-line attenuators like those from tweakaudio or endleraudio.
      -You will want to have the Behringer modified at least as far as Endler's mods. It is after all only a $300 piece of kit.
      

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      • RE: Biamp options - nicoff 21:03:15 06/13/09 (1)
        In Reply to: RE: Biamp options posted by Satie on June 13, 2009 at 19:25:07

        Satie,
        What do you mean by "You will also have the benefit of a true balanced differential amp when using the bridged multichannel on the mid/treble."?
        
        I saw very good write ups about the Bryston crossover that you mentioned. I think I saw a used one for about $1k. Would that be a better choice for crossover? If I'm using the Bryston I can avoid having to use the steps that you mentioned for the Behringer, namely having to connect the CD/DVD/SACD directly to the Bryston and having to add the two preamps, is that correct?
        

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        • RE: Biamp options - Satie 09:49:52 06/14/09 (0)
          In Reply to: RE: Biamp options posted by nicoff on June 13, 2009 at 21:03:15

          The downside of the Behringer is that it has a digital volume control that provides a maximum of 8 bits in its 32 bit processor for volume control before eating into the 24 bit signal. That comes to a 24 db range of control. That is too narrow a range in real use, like the difference between a symphony orchestra and a piano quartet. The chamber group is still plenty loud.
          
          If you use a volume control before the analog inputs of the Behringer (normal preamp), then you will have to choose between having the loud portions of the signal cut off, or have the resolution drop below 24 bits. Well below, as most of us adjust volume in about a 30-35 db range. Therefore, if you set the input sensitivity to your normal high listening level, then at low level listening you will have less than 14 bit resolution. And as low as 10 bits.
          
          The Bryston 10 is a great sounding crossover, and would get my highest recommendation unless you must have an all tube signal path.
          
          The output stage of the Classe multichannel amp is single ended: the live is at +V and the ground is at 0. When you bridge, one amp stage does +V and the other does -V so you have double the voltage and the output is cleaner because each of the positive and negative legs has its correlated distortion and noise canceled by the other's. This provides a further increase in usable output.
          

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