Dumb question - how to bi-amp [Archive]

Gbeer7

24-03-2010, 11:22

Barry

24-03-2010, 11:52

Hi all,

Excuse my lack of knowledge here !!

Fingers crossed (Yes, you should all cross them for me), if i get a bonus from work tomorrow i'll be getting two Chord Company Chameleon Silver Plus cables and my 8000p power-amp ! Very excited.
What i want to know is, how do i bi-amp the 8000p with my 8000s ? Is it as simple as setting the 8000s to pre-amp and plugging the 8000p to the 8000s ? Leaving the main cables in the 8000s to that takes the HF and the 8000p takes the LF ?

Cheers guys,

Graham

I'm not familiar with either the 8000s or the 8000p. Is the 8000s an integrated amplifier with a preamp output? If so, then what you suggest sounds the right way to go about it. If the two amps are of different power ratings, choose the higher of the two to feed the LF.

Fingers crossed!

Regards

The Grand Wazoo

24-03-2010, 12:13

I'd think you need the integrated to remain sending something to the loudspeaker terminals, which converting it to a pre surely wouldn't do.
But I'm not sure of the terminology that Audiolab might use.
What the hell is power amp in?

Does one pair of these sockets allow amps to be daisy chained?

http://www.studio-22.com/audiolab/images/8000s_conexiones.jpg

Gbeer7

24-03-2010, 12:19

the 8000s is an integrated amp.

I'm not sure Grand. Get confused with this stuff.

The Grand Wazoo

24-03-2010, 12:26

I expected to see a way of physically disconnecting the pre/power amps from each other - a switch or some jumpers like these...........

http://smarthomesolution.net/buy-Sell/NAD-3020b.jpg

.....but it looks to me like you just connect your power amp up to one pair of the pre-out sockets.

Dave Cawley

24-03-2010, 12:29

I would ask your dealer?

Dave

Beobloke

24-03-2010, 13:03

Is it as simple as setting the 8000s to pre-amp and plugging the 8000p to the 8000s ? Leaving the main cables in the 8000s to that takes the HF and the 8000p takes the LF ?

Yep, it's as simple as that, but you need to set the function switch to 'Pre-Power' and not to 'Pre'

'Pre' makes the preamp out sockets active but also disconnects the internal link to the 8000S internal power amplifier. the 'Pre-Power' setting activates the pre outs but leaves the internal power amp connected.

The Grand Wazoo

24-03-2010, 13:15

Ah, so the switch I was looking for is on the front is it, Adam?

twelvebears

24-03-2010, 13:29

Yep, it's as simple as that, but you need to set the function switch to 'Pre-Power' and not to 'Pre'

'Pre' makes the preamp out sockets active but also disconnects the internal link to the 8000S internal power amplifier. the 'Pre-Power' setting activates the pre outs but leaves the internal power amp connected.

Adding an 8000P to an existing integrated for bi-amping has long been an established upgrade path from before I was briefly involved in selling Audiolab in the early 90s.

It's made nice and easy because the gain of the two should be a perfect match.

General wisdom is usually to use the integrated for the HF and the power for the LF.

Gbeer7

24-03-2010, 14:17

arrr cool. Cheers guys. And that means Bi-amping ? (Don't shout, i'm learning !!!:doh:)

Ali Tait

24-03-2010, 14:28

Those Chords are a bit pricey! I'd be having a look at Mark Grant cables.He posts here.Great cables and have retired some seriously expensive member's cables.

The Grand Wazoo

24-03-2010, 15:10

If you look in the technical section of the AoS Library, you'll see a newly posted description of the differences between bi-wire, bi-amp and active.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=34

Marco

24-03-2010, 15:14

Hi Graham,

Just a quickie... Where are you from? Please add it to your profile - thanks :)

Marco.

Gbeer7

24-03-2010, 15:17

Winchester. I'll update my profile !

Marco

24-03-2010, 15:18

Cheers, dude! Add "Graham" to your signature, too :)

Marco.

Gbeer7

24-03-2010, 15:27

Done ! :)

Beobloke

24-03-2010, 20:39

Ah, so the switch I was looking for is on the front is it, Adam?

It is indeed!

twelvebears

25-03-2010, 07:07

Those Chords are a bit pricey! I'd be having a look at Mark Grant cables.He posts here.Great cables and have retired some seriously expensive member's cables.

I'd second that. The Chord cables will cost you much the same as a pair of Mark Grant's G1000HD but I guarantee that you'll be getting much better VFM in terms of material value and personal service with Mark's. Plus of course, I'm confident they will sound much better too!

Gbeer7

25-03-2010, 08:34

Are there any reviews of Mark's cables ?

Ali Tait

25-03-2010, 08:59

I'd second that. The Chord cables will cost you much the same as a pair of Mark Grant's G1000HD but I guarantee that you'll be getting much better VFM in terms of material value and personal service with Mark's. Plus of course, I'm confident they will sound much better too!

Are the MG's not much cheaper? I did a quick search and found the Chord at 100 quid.MG's are 65 are they not? I also had the thought that those silver Chords may be a bit too much with Audiolab gear-too much top end perhaps?

Ali Tait

25-03-2010, 09:02

Graham,I think everone here who has tried them has liked them.Also I believe Mark does sale or return,so you can try them at no risk.Just return them for your money back if you don't like them.

Gbeer7

25-03-2010, 09:10

The guy at HiFix said he recommended the Chord with my setup and said he'll do them for £90 for me.

Beobloke

25-03-2010, 14:40

Are there any reviews of Mark's cables ?

I believe What Hi-Fi have done a set...............

Gbeer7

25-03-2010, 16:59

The review on what hi fi was very disappointing..... http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Mark-Grant-G1000/

Only 2 stars. I've decided to go with the Chord's in the end.

REM

25-03-2010, 17:18

Deja vu, anyone? :popcorn:

Mark Grant

25-03-2010, 17:19

Hello Graham,

I think you will find the 'review' in no way reflects real world user opinions of the cable.
Read the user opinions on the same site:

http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Mark-Grant-G1000/UserReviews/

also some comments on my website:
http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=43_1&products_id=165

thread on these forums:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4387

The Chord might be great, there will be a difference between silver plated copper (chord) and copper ( my cable), just depends which you prefer in your own system.

Anyone is always welcome to return anything within 30 days, no problem at all.

Mark.

twelvebears

25-03-2010, 17:26

Are the MG's not much cheaper? I did a quick search and found the Chord at 100 quid.MG's are 65 are they not? I also had the thought that those silver Chords may be a bit too much with Audiolab gear-too much top end perhaps?

Really? I did the same and came up with £65 but perhaps I found the wrong ones.

Well in that case, even better!!

twelvebears

25-03-2010, 17:31

The review on what hi fi was very disappointing..... http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Mark-Grant-G1000/

Only 2 stars. I've decided to go with the Chord's in the end.

Without wishing to open a MASSIVE can of worms, I'd strongly recommend you reconsider and ignore the WHF review as ther are *ahem* potentially some issues with the results.

Let's put it this way, many people here have spent serious wedge on cables in the past but are now choosing Mark's stuff over some very expensive alternatives.

Your choice of course but you won't find better for the money (regardless of the WHF's review) and Mark's service is second to none.

Gbeer7

25-03-2010, 17:42

Thank you all for your help, especially from Mark himself. Your right, one review doesn't form an opinon. Not trying to upset anyone. I'm learning all the time with this stereo lark. I'll probably end up eating my words !

twelvebears

25-03-2010, 17:52

Thank you all for your help, especially from Mark himself. Your right, one review doesn't form an opinion. Not trying to upset anyone. I'm learning all the time with this stereo lark. I'll probably end up eating my words !

Of course not! Sorry if we seem a bit biased but actually everyone here has formed their opinions themselves and parted with their own money, it's just that we happen to agree with each other.

If you've not already committed to the Chords, or if you can try a sample pair (not often that retailers will let you do that actually), why not try out Mark's and compare them yourself. You have quite literally nothing to lose. :cool: