Bi-Amp or Monobloc...

Hi there,

I'm presently using a Tripath based 100W stereo amp (Amp 1 from 41hz) and am thinking of getting 2 more of these power amp modules and a seperate passive pre-amp. I would like either to bridge the amps and use them as mono blocs or keep them in stereo mode and use them to bi-amp. I'd appreciate any thoughts anyone might have on the improvements of each of these routes. Which route do you think will give the best results?

 

im not a guru, but if they are stereo amps then i'd bi amp each speaker which if i have understood correctly, if your amp starts 'clipping' from driving the bass unit then it wont send clipped signals to fry your tweeter.
check that if you try bridging, the amps may only be able to handle an 8ohm load (dont know what speakers you have)
personally i prefer to see 2 speaker cables going to each cabinet (looks more serious!!)
if you do decide to buy anyway, give it a try eitherway and enjoy
neil

 

Try both & see which you prefer.

I once tried biamping & monoblocking with some Cyrus Smartpowers.

I reckon money is better spent on a decent integrated.

 

When I added my power amp and bi-amped my PMC's, I got a BIG difference, much better overall, with a bigger, fuller sound as well as better bass.

 

I'd reccomend getting a single amp which is much better.

I'd get a power amp and a pre personally.

 

I use talk Tornado 5 monoblocks in bi-amped mode (two per side)with MA 20se speakers and get excellent results.

 

Depends. I tried single big amp v smaller triamp monoblocks on my PMC and the triamping won by a country mile.

Depends on the amp, depends on the speaker.

 

Ultimately it depends how easy it is for the amp to drive the speakers.

Difficult-to-drive speakers may well benefit from monoblocking.

 

I pondered a lot about this question when considering upgrade on the amp side of things. I eventually did as Bottleneck recommends and bought a single more powerful stereo amp - but one that could either be bridged or bi-amp speakers that were designed to be bi-amp'd. As things turned out, the Bel Canto Evo4 gives a real bonus when bridged - so I've bridged at both ends and has what seems like total control.

 

My first amp was A rotel RB-960. I bought another and tried noth bridging and biamping. The quality boost from biamping was nice but nothing compared to the power boost from the bridge (even though it increased the distortion). Then I got a cunning idea, I sold both threw £50 in and got an RB-991. More power than the bridge, MUCH more quality that the biamp. Simple.
Even my wife spotted this sound boost. That probably does not mean much till I tell you she couldn't spot the diff between my £10 PC sound card and £500 CDP.