In Reply to: Driving 20.1's with Brystons posted by Peter_S on November 5, 2006 at 23:35:12:
The Bryston can drive the 20.1's -- the question is this optimal and I believe the the answer is probably no (disclaimer: I don't own 20.1's). Also Magnepan has always designed their top-of-the-line models to be biamped and the 20.1 is no exception. Even if the amplifer is up to the task, biamping will be better (assuming equal quality amplifiers).I would recommend active biamping rather than bridging two 4B SST's for the following reasons:
1) The cost of an active crossover is minimal (about another $500) compared to what you have put in (cost of 20.1's and two amps - estimate >$15000)
2) there are big advantages to replacing the original crossover, connectors and fuses and building a new passive crossover will exceed the cost of the active crossover
3) IMO an active line level crossover is always better than a passive speaker level crossover (especially with Maggies) and
4) when you bridge a stereo amplifier you double the effective lowest impedance that it can tolerate (where 4BSTT in stereo mode can handle a 2 ohm impedance, in bridged mono mode, the lowest it will go is 4 ohms and that may be pushing it with the Maggies).I may be an egoist but at least I don't talk about other people.
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Follow Ups
- Re: Driving 20.1's with Brystons - neolith 13:41:03 11/06/06 (0)