Two stereo power amps for Bi-amping or two monoblocks?

[Light Dependant Resistor]

It depends how you split the signal . An active crossover between the pre amp and power amp makes a lot of difference. I am using a pair of quad33s one driving esl63 the other driving gradient subs with the gradient active crossover. Separating the signal before the amps gives each less to do and downstream passive crossovers in speakers also don’t affect the signal as much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Kevan
Did you mean Quad 303's as power amps ?

[RMutt]

The advantages of monobloc power amplifiers are said to be, amongst other reasons, that power supplies and other components are physically separated. Two integrated amplifiers achieve this goal, up to a point, but you are back with the pre section in the same box as the power section. You could go down the route of separate pre and power amps on both sides. Of course you end up with four boxes. Why do we rarely (never?) see pre amplifiers separated this way?

[ReggieB]

I'd be a little wary of the generalised two amps is better than one arguments. There is a simple answer of "yes", but the real world question is "would two amps costing X sound better than a single amp costing 2 times X?". There, I'm not sure of the answer. On a tight budget, I'm pretty certain the answer would be no.

Personally, I'd bi-amp when I found the amp that has a sound/presentation I really like and I just want to squeeze a little more of the same, out of the system. If I wasn't happy with my current amp, I'd replace it with something else, rather than bi-amping to try and get the sound where I wanted it.

And then it's a case of choosing your budget and trusting your ears. You may well find the replacement amp that sings for you is a single one.

[Caber10]

Hi Kevan
Did you mean Quad 303's as power amps ?

Err yes! Posting too early in the morning before coffee


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Haselsh1]

I have in the past used two stereo power amps feeding into a spilt crossover so one for treble and one for bass and although it looked amazing, I can't say it revolutionised the sound quality. Of course you also require a spare pair of RCA's on the pre out.