Bi-Amp SDA Experience

Conradicles

I have had a few sets of SDA's, but my current 2.3TL's are the 1st set that offers the Bi-Amp option.

In general experience of others who have "been there done that", what type of amps have you run and what was the outcome?

motorstereo

I had the regular version 2.3s and tried biamping. Barely noticed any difference soundwise. I tried it with a few different amps and combinations and decided it wasn't worth the effort for the extra wiring and amp. I have the same option on my 1.2s but I've never bothered trying it because of my experience with the 2.3s.
If you have an extra amp lying around why not give it a shot and then you'll know firsthand?

OldmanSRS

I bi-amped the 1.2s. Made no difference. If you use identical amps the bass/treble ratio will remain stock. If your amps have different gains, it will change. Bottom line, not worth the effort for me.

YMMV

Dawgfish

I had great results biamping my SRS 2s but not in the traditional way most think of. I used a Rogue 88 Magnum tube amp set on triode on the mids and highs and a Nad Power Envelope 2600 solid state amp on the lows. It sounded awesome and it really was the best of both worlds; tube mids and highs with solid state bass slam. The Nad has adjustable gain knobs on the front so I could easily match the gain of the two amps. A few things to keep in mind with this are use the same type and length interconnects/speaker cables and make sure one of the amps has adjustable gain if not using the exact same type of amps. Other than that have fun and let your ears be the judge.

dpowell

I am bi-amping my 2.3TL's with a Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400. Using 2 channels for each speaker. The Sunfire has a nice output option that allows for a more SS signature sound which I have connected to the lower freq. input and an output that has more of a tube sound for the higher end. Does it make a difference? I'm not entirely sure but they will play music at high levels with no distortion. Does is sound amazing? Sure does! Does is sound impressive to have 800WPC dedicated per speaker? Heck yeah! Overkill? Probably.

embrown057

I have the 1.2's that are full TL's now. I run a Parasound 2200 on the bottom end and a Phillips DFA1000 (rebadged Marantz PM-95) on the top. The DFA has Lateral MOSFET's and is just magic for the SDA's top end. The Parasound's bottom end is full of detailed low's and punchy. I did try two Parasound 2200 but the top end just did not have the detail and transparency as the DFA did. It's realy finding the right combination to suit you ears. I heard time and time again that "bi-amp make no difference" or you have to omit your internal crossover and use a external "full blown" active crossover. That may be the case for some but with the right combo of amp's your going to have sonic gains.

ALSATIAN in USA

1+1=1 !... You don't have 2X more power. but you can adjust volume on amp with knob(tweeter vs woofer) if your X-over (on speakers) is not prefect or too old (like mine)!....Save power with active X-OVER (but need to remove your passive X-OVER on speakers) Purist use tube amp for tweeters and solid-state amp for woofers.

Schurkey

ALSATIAN in USA wrote: »

Save power with active X-OVER (but need to remove your passive X-OVER on speakers)

How do you plan to keep the SDA drivers powered if you delete the internal crossover for an external active crossover?

embrown057

"Purist use tube amp for tweeters and solid-state amp for woofers." That's why you see a lot of using MOSFET's for the top and BJT amp's for the bottom. I restored a set of Luxman Mono tube amps a few years ago. Compared to the MOSFET amp had much the same character. As far as using the active crossover and eliminate the SDA crossover, you would have your hands full with that project. OP-just experiment with what you have unless you have a sturdy budget and can afford to buy and sell till you find the combo you like.

bassfann

I own the NON tl 2.3's,and thinking bbout bi-amping. I have a Harman Kardon signature 1.5 running them,but it's not enough power. What's the power rating for the highs ?

nooshinjohn

My 1.2TL's have been hooked up to my Carver tube amps and have been, by far, the best sounding combo I have had. What I notice is in the details. Everything is faster, punchier and more articulate. Also better control all around. I think it comes down to having two separate power supplies and not having to share current between the channels, so each speaker gets what it needs without having to compromise.

honestaquarian

dpowell wrote: »

I am bi-amping my 2.3TL's with a Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400. Using 2 channels for each speaker. The Sunfire has a nice output option that allows for a more SS signature sound which I have connected to the lower freq. input and an output that has more of a tube sound for the higher end. Does it make a difference? I'm not entirely sure but they will play music at high levels with no distortion. Does is sound amazing? Sure does! Does is sound impressive to have 800WPC dedicated per speaker? Heck yeah! Overkill? Probably.

I am doing the exact same thing as @dpowell with my 3.1TL's and my Cinema Grand Signature five channel amp. Yes I heard a difference between the "Current" and "Voltage" outputs while single wiring my speakers. So now I too have the "Voltage" outputs driving the woofers and the "Current" outputs driving the tweeters. it sounds GRRRRRRREAT!
I just had the tunes cranking yesterday and the bass is phenomenal! The soundstage is unbelievable on some material. I had a couple tracks playing (*Jill Scott- You're gettin in the way and The Art Of Noise- Moments in love*) which had SDA effects that went vertical!!