Sending a signal for bi-amping

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
edited February 2011 in Speakers
Here is my basic question: Does it matter how you send a signal for bi-amping a pair of speakers?

So here's the situation. I have a Carver 5 channel amp. I am using Channels 1 & 2 to drive my Right, Channel 3 to drive my Center, and Channels 4 & 5 to drive my Left.

Currently I am using 3 of the 7 RCA pre-outs on my Integra (L,R,C). I then split the L & R signal using a Y adapter to get 2 channels from each RCA.

I have the ability to set my Integra to "bi-amp" in the menu which then allows you to use the rear surround channels to run another second set of wire to power the front speakers. If I set it to "bi-amp" and then ran the Surround Rear pre-outs to the Carver would that be better?

I am curious if there is any difference between doing it this way where I would have a total of 5 RCA's (R,L,C,RSR,RSL) to my Carver rather than just 3 that I split out to 5.

Either way I am only running 5.1 and using my Integra to run my Monitor 40's so I am not currently using my Rear Surrounds.

Setting the Integra to bi-amp would lose me my Zone 2 speakers as well (but once again I dont use them so no biggie).

I am interested to hear everyones thoughts.

I would assume since either way I am still sending the 2 channels for each front the full signal it wouldn't matter, but I am not an expert at this yet.
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,019
    edited February 2011
    No, in short, once you use the preouts, the amp section of the avr is mute. If I was you, I would get rid of the bi-amp on the fronts and just use all 5 channels for each of your speakers. Your speaks are very easy to drive and bi-amping them is somewhat of a waste imho.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited February 2011
    tonyb wrote: »
    No, in short, once you use the preouts, the amp section of the avr is mute. If I was you, I would get rid of the bi-amp on the fronts and just use all 5 channels for each of your speakers. Your speaks are very easy to drive and bi-amping them is somewhat of a waste imho.

    Eh, dont think its worth it to amp my surrounds. They dont need nearly that much power and with the front 3 running from the amp they can pull all the power they should need from the receiver...

    or at least thats my thought but I have been known to be wrong.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited February 2011
    What you are doing is fine. Passive bi-amping (without an active crossover & passive crossovers in the speakers) CAN make a difference if you're underpowered, but the best way is active bi-amping (removing the passive crossovers or bypassing them), which complicates things quite a bit.

    For example: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103183&page=1
    TNRabbit
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,019
    edited February 2011
    The T90's ??? Not exactly the picture of power hungry speakers gents. But fly as you wish, you could just try it out for giggles though to see if you like running all 5 from the carver. Nothin' to lose bro.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • silvertuner
    silvertuner Posts: 496
    edited February 2011
    i think he is also thinking about a future set-up. this was his initial hook-up and test since i fixed the amp. he has already commented on a better sound while bi-amped... atleast thats what he told me.

    some cheap free sony speakers
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited February 2011
    silvertuner wrote: »
    i think he is also thinking about a future set-up. this was his initial hook-up and test since i fixed the amp. he has already commented on a better sound while bi-amped... atleast thats what he told me.

    I am indeed thinking future setup. I am looking to move from T90e's to a set of Paradigm Studio Monitor 40's and the matching center.

    While still not that power hungry Paradigms definitively would benefit from more power, or at least that was my thought....

    Plus like I said I have Monitor 40's as surrounds. If the T90e's dont need tons of power why even hook up the 40's which should need less.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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