• RE: Active Crossover Set-up - Confirmation I'm on the Right Track - top_of_the_bell_curve 06:03:27 01/29/23 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: Active Crossover Set-up - Confirmation I'm on the Right Track posted by top_of_the_bell_curve on January 14, 2023 at 15:57:48

  Thanks for your responses.
  
  
  I ended up scoring a great deal on a new-to-me preamp. It has an adjustable crossover function (low pass: 24 dB/octave; high pass: 12 dB/octave) with 5 hz increments. Does this function largely take the place of an active crossover?
  
  If so, would this be workable: source -> preamp -> 1) [low-range signal] -> amp -> Magnepan 3.5; and 2) [mid/tweeter signal] -> amp -> Magnepan 3.5 internal mid/tweet XO?
  

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• RE: Active Crossover Set-up - Confirmation I'm on the Right Track - 66mgb 06:54:03 01/15/23 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: Active Crossover Set-up - Confirmation I'm on the Right Track posted by top_of_the_bell_curve on January 14, 2023 at 15:57:48

  I use a First Watt B4 crossover ( no longer made but sometimes found used) to bi-amp my 3.6's with a pass labs X150.5 for the M/T and a B&K ex4420 for the bass panels. the results were amazing. The other huge improvement I made was Grants stands!
  

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• RE: Active Crossover Set-up - Confirmation I'm on the Right Track - andyr 17:15:03 01/14/23 (4)
  In Reply to: RE: Active Crossover Set-up - Confirmation I'm on the Right Track posted by top_of_the_bell_curve on January 14, 2023 at 15:57:48

  You said:
  
  Current set-up: source -> preamp -> Odyssey Stratos mono-blocks (each amp only does one channel) -> stock passive X-O -> Magnepan 3.5s, using stock internal cross-overs .
  
  Just to be a bit clearer, I think you meant to write: Current set-up: source -> preamp -> Odyssey Stratos mono-blocks -> stock external (bass-mid/ribbon) passive X-O -> Magnepan 3.5s, using stock internal (mid-ribbon) cross-overs.
  
  IF (still undecided if I want to) I want to use active crossovers, my system could go: source -> preamp -> active X-O -> amps (I'm thinking the dual monos and maybe a tube) -> my 3.5s.
  
  Correct. In my experience, going active will bring about a pleasurable increase in SQ!
  
  The Stratos monos would take care of the bass signal. The tube amp (I would probably just do one) would take care of the M/T. I don't have the ability/capacity to swap out the internal X-O's.
  
  That would be a fine setup - particularly with a stereo tube amp (or 2x tube monoblocs) driving the mids & ribbons. However, you need to make sure the tube amps are happy driving 4 ohms or less. This is where ss amps might do better.
  
  I'd make sure that the gain on the Stratos matches the gain on whatever amp I pick up. Or can I handle that at the active X-O stage?
  
  Yes, the active XO should enable you to match gain.
  
  Additional Q's:
  - do you have a recommended active X-O?
  
  Marchand make both fully-made-up tube and ss active XOs. Or there are digital XOs - like the miniDSP 2x4HD.
  
  - in your opinion, are tubes best placed in the preamp or amp stage, if my current budget (including for rolling) is sub-$5k?
  
  For a $5k budget, I would suggest a ss amp for the mids & ribbons and either miniDSP or Marchand ss active XO.
  
  
  
  

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  • Nice thorough answer... - grantv 17:52:48 01/14/23 (3)
    In Reply to: RE: Active Crossover Set-up - Confirmation I'm on the Right Track posted by andyr on January 14, 2023 at 17:15:03

    I'd only add:
    -Better said than if I did. :)
    -I have identical stereo amps and vertically bi-amp, which has some advantages.
    -Many recommend tube pre-amps with Maggie's.
    

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    • +1 NT - Green Lantern 13:14:11 01/20/23 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: Nice thorough answer... posted by grantv on January 14, 2023 at 17:52:48

      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      

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    • Indeed! One more thing - MaggiesAndCats 19:09:30 01/14/23 (1)
      In Reply to: RE: Nice thorough answer... posted by grantv on January 14, 2023 at 17:52:48

      If you use the stock crossover points when biamping Magnepan recommends both amps have the same power rating.
      
      Regards,
      
      Steve
      

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      • Like button. :) NT - grantv 19:58:20 01/14/23 (0)
        In Reply to: RE: Indeed! One more thing posted by MaggiesAndCats on January 14, 2023 at 19:09:30

        
        

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