Planar Speaker Asylum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.

Planar Speaker Asylum

RE: Build System to Power MG 1.6 Using Vintage Higher End Equipment

70.196.194.95

In Reply to: RE: Build System to Power MG 1.6 Using Vintage Higher End Equipment posted by NADStereo on August 08, 2014 at 07:08:14

I am considering a B&K EX-442 Sonata based on what I have read in the past few days. I will listen to it this Friday connected to the Maggies and if it sounds good to me I will probably pull the trigger on it. There is another EX-442 I can purchase so is that something to consider, to have one EX-442 per speaker? I believe I can get both amps for $750-$800 total. One comes with a 90 day warranty,the other, 1-owner, amp does not. Is a dual amp set up a great way to go?

Follow Ups:

RE: Build System to Power MG 1.6 Using Vintage Higher End Equipment - NADStereo 05:35:38 08/13/14 (3)
Actually, what I meant was not one amp for each speaker but one for the highs and one for the midrange and lows. I was corrected on that last night.

So, let me ask a question.
If the Maggies like a lot of power and I go with a 2 amp system do both amps need to be the same or can one amp be smaller? I was told this last night and to use the smaller amp to drive the highs, the tweeter. Thoughts?
- RE: Build System to Power MG 1.6 Using Vintage Higher End Equipment - pictureguy 09:26:04 08/13/14 (2)
  Amp power per 'way' generally depends on crossover point. If you wanted an amp, even for Maggies, which are considered 'power hungry' and have it for 10k UP, you'd still only need a little power which your NAD would easily supply.
  The 50:50 point is generally considered to be AROUND 400hz. That means, SAME amp(s).
  
  I use 2x Parasound stereo amps. ONE per speaker. The 2 main schools of biamp are 'Horizontal' and 'Vertical'. In one method, for example, one stereo amp runs the BASS and another stereo amp runs mid/tweet. You can mix/match amps here but be careful of gain. With one stereo amp per speaker, they should match.
  
  The advantage, IMO, of one amp per speaker is that of SHORT speaker cable runs. The DISadvantage is longer run from preamp TO amp. But my amp has a linelevel OUT and IN per channel, so I JUMPER the amp and run only ONE cable to the amp. Channel 'a' out to 'b' in! And I also have level controls which I don't use, if I were to think it a little 'off balance' in frequency response.
  
  The MG1.6 has a 600hz crossover which is VERY close to the 50:50 mark. What I DO, is offload some of the bass to a sub which reduces some stress on the bass amp.
  
  Too much is never enough
  - RE: Build System to Power MG 1.6 Using Vintage Higher End Equipment - NADStereo 11:01:49 08/13/14 (1)
    OK, so I was thinking semi correctly with one amp per speaker, and both being the same type of amp, because of the two schools of thought. I am unsure if the ex-442 has a line level in & out per channel as I cannot find a manual or a back panel pic of it.
    
    I also came across a ADAM GFA 5800 last night. .. funny how things pop up when you start reading & looking...
    
    Sorry, my background coming thru.. what did you mean by this "have it for 10k UP. $10,000. $10k... money, or ?
    - RE: Build System to Power MG 1.6 Using Vintage Higher End Equipment - pictureguy 11:56:26 08/13/14 (0)
      By '10k up' I mean FREQUENCY.
      The actual amount power needed for normal music (a real can of worms idea) is a fraction of the total needed.
      
      According to the article I link here, the actual amount of power needed for 5000hz up is only 10% of the total. so you can imagine how little is actually needed for 10,000hz and up.
      
      It is unusual for amps to have the looping function of the Parasound amps. And even MORE unusual to include level control.
      Too much is never enough
      http://sound.westhost.com/bi-amp.htm (Open in New Window)

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

VH Audio