question re speaker/amps connection

paulj · 14th June 2004, 09:48 PM

Hi. I have a Cambridge Audio amp setup - A500 integrated and P500 power amp. Until recently I had bi-wirable speakers, so the speakers were connected to each amp (tweeters to one, woofer to the other, the two amps inter-connected via the pre-in/pre-out connections).

I have just bought a pair of non-bi-wirable speakers. I have the speakers connected to the integrated amp. My question: am I getting the combined power of the two amps, or just the one I have the speakers connected to? In other words, does "piggy-backing" a power amp via the pre-in/pre-out add the output of the power amp to that of the integrated amp?

Thanks, Paul

BobEllis · 14th June 2004, 11:01 PM

Do not connect the outputs of two amplifiers to the same speaker! You are likely to blow them up.

If it isn't getting loud enough, consider a different system -more efficient speakers, another pair, bigger amp, etc.

anatech · 14th June 2004, 11:13 PM

Hi Paul,
The only way to get more power is to buy or build a bigger amp. Adding amps bridged to the input does not increse power. As BobEllis said, connecting two amplifiers together at the outputs will blow one or both up.
-Chris

sam9 · 14th June 2004, 11:24 PM

On top of perhaps damaging the amps, it won't really give you more power assuming the power supply was capable of delivering sufficient current in the first place. Even if there were no danger to the amps, the peak voltage would be the same. Peak voltage determines loudness. Power is determined roughy lby (RMS Volts x RMS Volts)/(Speaker Impedance). Since speaker impedance is more or less fixed and volts are not increased by this scheme, power in watts is not increased. Actually, there are a several complications with this explanation but resolving them still results in about the same answer.

May I suggest you go to this website: au.sound.com. Search for a couple of articles. One is on bi-amping and the other is on amplifier bridging. These may lead you in the direction(s) in which appear to want to go.

anatech · 15th June 2004, 12:13 AM

If you "bridge" the outputs of an amp, you will cut the damping factor in half. Also, some amps do funny things in bridged mode not related to simply damping factor. This also implies that you have two identical amplifiers for stereo.
-Chris

jaycee · 16th June 2004, 09:51 AM

With no biwire terminals the biamp setup will no longer work. The easiest thing to do is just to use the A500 and sell the P500.

You can't really bridge one A500 with one P500 channel, they'd be poorly matched and you'd run the risk of causing damage. If you need more power, time to look at a better amp

sam9 · 16th June 2004, 02:01 PM

Biamping is still possible if he's willing to open up the speakers and rewire them. However, as you say bidging non-identicle amps is a dubious undertaking. I think the articles by Rod Elliot will give him an idea of benefits vs. hassless/problems. Personally, though, I'm inclined to the idea that getting a bigger amp is preferable to bridging.

paulj · 16th June 2004, 10:07 PM

Thanks sam9 and jaycee. Bigger/better amp seems to be the way to go. I'm looking at NAD or Marantz 100 wpc+. Any ideas?

jaycee · 17th June 2004, 08:29 AM

If you liked Cambridge Audio gear, try Arcam

www.arcam.co.uk

Very very nice amplifiers. Not cheap sadly, but very good

14th June 2004, 09:48 PM	#1
paulj diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Warrandyte - outer "bush" suburb on the Yarra River, outside Melbourne Australia	question re speaker/amps connection Hi. I have a Cambridge Audio amp setup - A500 integrated and P500 power amp. Until recently I had bi-wirable speakers, so the speakers were connected to each amp (tweeters to one, woofer to the other, the two amps inter-connected via the pre-in/pre-out connections). I have just bought a pair of non-bi-wirable speakers. I have the speakers connected to the integrated amp. My question: am I getting the combined power of the two amps, or just the one I have the speakers connected to? In other words, does "piggy-backing" a power amp via the pre-in/pre-out add the output of the power amp to that of the integrated amp? Thanks, Paul

15th June 2004, 12:13 AM	#5
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Bridging If you "bridge" the outputs of an amp, you will cut the damping factor in half. Also, some amps do funny things in bridged mode not related to simply damping factor. This also implies that you have two identical amplifiers for stereo. -Chris

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14th June 2004, 11:01 PM	#2
BobEllis diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Upstate NY	Do not connect the outputs of two amplifiers to the same speaker! You are likely to blow them up. If it isn't getting loud enough, consider a different system -more efficient speakers, another pair, bigger amp, etc.

14th June 2004, 11:13 PM	#3
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Paul, The only way to get more power is to buy or build a bigger amp. Adding amps bridged to the input does not increse power. As BobEllis said, connecting two amplifiers together at the outputs will blow one or both up. -Chris

14th June 2004, 11:24 PM	#4
sam9 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Left Coast	On top of perhaps damaging the amps, it won't really give you more power assuming the power supply was capable of delivering sufficient current in the first place. Even if there were no danger to the amps, the peak voltage would be the same. Peak voltage determines loudness. Power is determined roughy lby (RMS Volts x RMS Volts)/(Speaker Impedance). Since speaker impedance is more or less fixed and volts are not increased by this scheme, power in watts is not increased. Actually, there are a several complications with this explanation but resolving them still results in about the same answer. May I suggest you go to this website: au.sound.com. Search for a couple of articles. One is on bi-amping and the other is on amplifier bridging. These may lead you in the direction(s) in which appear to want to go.

16th June 2004, 09:51 AM	#6
jaycee diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, UK	With no biwire terminals the biamp setup will no longer work. The easiest thing to do is just to use the A500 and sell the P500. You can't really bridge one A500 with one P500 channel, they'd be poorly matched and you'd run the risk of causing damage. If you need more power, time to look at a better amp

16th June 2004, 02:01 PM	#7
sam9 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Left Coast	Biamping is still possible if he's willing to open up the speakers and rewire them. However, as you say bidging non-identicle amps is a dubious undertaking. I think the articles by Rod Elliot will give him an idea of benefits vs. hassless/problems. Personally, though, I'm inclined to the idea that getting a bigger amp is preferable to bridging.

16th June 2004, 10:07 PM	#8
paulj diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Warrandyte - outer "bush" suburb on the Yarra River, outside Melbourne Australia	Thanks sam9 and jaycee. Bigger/better amp seems to be the way to go. I'm looking at NAD or Marantz 100 wpc+. Any ideas?

17th June 2004, 08:29 AM	#9
jaycee diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, UK	If you liked Cambridge Audio gear, try Arcam www.arcam.co.uk Very very nice amplifiers. Not cheap sadly, but very good

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