Bi-Amping Help!

dkg999

The package of goodies from Frank at Signal Cable arrived today so I can actually bi-amp my Magnepan 1.6QR's. I wanted to vertically bi-amp these, however I can't seem to find a good quality y-connectors to split each channel into the two Parasound HCA-1500A's. My Parasound P/HP-850 has direct and normal outputs, but the direct outputs are what I have been told will work best and they do sound better than the normal outputs. Does anyone know of good y-splitters that will be sonically close to the Signal Cable Analog Two IC's?

I quickly set it up to burn-in the new IC's and speaker cables using horizontal bi-amping and using the daisy-chain outputs on the HCA-1500 to get signal to the second HCA-1500. Other options would be to:

1) Stay with horizontal bi-amping and use my HCA-1000A for the hi-end as the power of the HCA-1500 is kind of wasted when using it for the hi-end.

2) Use both the normal and direct pre-amp outputs. I am assuming I would use the direct for the hi-end and the normal for the low-end?

3) Hope Parasound gets the new Classic P2000 out soon as it has a second set of outputs that can be set to use when bi-amping. I can then run my sub using the daisy-chain outputs on one of the HCA-1500A's.

So any advice on this from the forum?

And yes I do now believe in the cable burn-in theory, as I was playing with my new Signal Cable Ultra Double-run speaker cables compared to a pair of identical length that I have had for 6 mos. I can actually tell a difference when switching them around and playing the same song with both. Weird, you just wouldn't think there would be a difference!

[Deleted User]

Hello,
Probably the simplest approach would be to go inside the Parasound and remove the connection that go to the "normal" set of RCA outputs. Then using a good quality connecting wire connect a second set of wires from the "direct" RCA connections to the "normal". In effect paralleling the "direct" connections to the previously "normal" set. This is what a "Y" cable would do, but you would accomplish it internally.
The best "Y" I'm aware of was made by Monster Cable, it was a solid machined piece of metal with male RCA on one end and two female RCA connections machined into the metal itself. There was no cable involved, just gold plated machined metal. These were fairly expensive, "way back when" but might still be available.
Regards, Ken

Emlyn

Kenneth Swauger wrote:

Hello,
The best "Y" I'm aware of was made by Monster Cable, it was a solid machined piece of metal with male RCA on one end and two female RCA connections machined into the metal itself. There was no cable involved, just gold plated machined metal. These were fairly expensive, "way back when" but might still be available.

Regards, Ken

If you mean these, Ken, they are still available for $15 a pair:

Monster splitter

They're usually included with Monster's subwoofer cables as well. Their construction is at least as good as the RCA jacks on most audio gear.

[Deleted User]

Correct, that's the one I meant.
Thanks, Ken

WilliamM2

Parts Epress has several of the solid type:

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&&DID=7&CATID=39&ObjectGroup_ID=123

tonyv1

I think the Parasound HCA-1500A has two sets of RCA inputs. According to the manual you can use the "Output Looping Connections" to hookup to the other amp without using a "Y".

Emlyn

WilliamM2 wrote:

Parts Epress has several of the solid type:

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&&DID=7&CATID=39&ObjectGroup_ID=123

Figures Monster would have about a 60 percent markup on something made for another company that's essentially the same thing.

dkg999

I did order a set of the Phoenix Gold solid Y-connectors from Parts Express, and with the weight of the IC's on them, you can't keep them from touching when plugged into the back of the pre-amp. Also the combined weight of both channels was also really stressing the rca outputs on the pre-amp. It just didn't look like the wise set-up to use!

I thought about using the looping/daisy chain outputs on the Parasound HCA-1500's to loop the channel being input on one side of the amp back up to the input for the other channel. I thought it might induce some timing delays. I tried it and I can't really hear any difference in timing between the high end being driven by one channel and the low-end being driven by the other amp channel. I think I'll leave it this way until I upgrade my pre-amp.

Thanks for all the help. Ken, your idea was a good one, and if I decide to stay with my current pre-amp I'll have a technician friend perform the surgery.

steveinaz

tonyv1 wrote:

I think the Parasound HCA-1500A has two sets of RCA inputs. According to the manual you can use the "Output Looping Connections" to hookup to the other amp without using a "Y".

Exactly--there's your solution.