Bi-amping with different amps
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GEBBY44
Posts: 939
Hey guys,
I decided to build a second HT rig downstairs and picked up some Paradigm Studio 100 v.1's. I have been experimenting with some different amps I could get my hands on and here's what it is now.
I have a Pioneer VSX-82 as a pre-amp with cheap IC's now (Signal Analog II's on the way) set up to bi-amp the front speakers. I've got the front channel pre-outs going to an Adcom GFA-6000 with 100W going to the uppers. Then I have the surround back (duplicate stereo channels) pre-outs going to a Rotel RB-956ax with 90W going to the lower binding posts.
I originally had the 90W Rotel going to the uppers and the Adcom going to the lows, but I found that the Adcom sounds much better on the highs. More open, airy, wider soundstage. And surprisingly, the Rotel gives some decent bass response but the midrange is lacking. This is the opposite of how I thought it would be.
My question is since the Rotel and Adcom have slightly different gains, would switching to an Adcom (like a GFA-545) for the lows improve it much? I realize that this is a highly subjective thing, but that's why everyone has the freedom to not respond. Any help is greatly appreciated.
I decided to build a second HT rig downstairs and picked up some Paradigm Studio 100 v.1's. I have been experimenting with some different amps I could get my hands on and here's what it is now.
I have a Pioneer VSX-82 as a pre-amp with cheap IC's now (Signal Analog II's on the way) set up to bi-amp the front speakers. I've got the front channel pre-outs going to an Adcom GFA-6000 with 100W going to the uppers. Then I have the surround back (duplicate stereo channels) pre-outs going to a Rotel RB-956ax with 90W going to the lower binding posts.
I originally had the 90W Rotel going to the uppers and the Adcom going to the lows, but I found that the Adcom sounds much better on the highs. More open, airy, wider soundstage. And surprisingly, the Rotel gives some decent bass response but the midrange is lacking. This is the opposite of how I thought it would be.
My question is since the Rotel and Adcom have slightly different gains, would switching to an Adcom (like a GFA-545) for the lows improve it much? I realize that this is a highly subjective thing, but that's why everyone has the freedom to not respond. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Post edited by GEBBY44 on
Comments
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While it is not hard to believe that the Adcom outperforms the Rotel when driving the tweeter,Im wondering if maybe the Adcom has lower input sensitivity(ie.less voltage input required).Thus its output might actually be a 1db or 2 louder so it causes a slight frequency imbalance therefore accentuating the treble making it brighter and more airy sounding etc.Anyway I just thought I'd throw that out there ,without knowing the specs of both amps its hard to say but this could be part of what you hearing.
I originally had the 90W Rotel going to the uppers and the Adcom going to the lows, but I found that the Adcom sounds much better on the highs. More open, airy, wider soundstage. And surprisingly, the Rotel gives some decent bass response but the midrange is lacking.Testing
Testing
Testing -
I thought about that and have run the same setup with other speakers. I was just as surprised about the Adcom over the Rotel, too. Maybe it's just all my speakers...
