I'm having lots of trouble separating fact from fiction and want to see what others think would make the most sense for me. I'll try and edit my question as I go so that, hopefully, others can use this as a resource.
I'm primarily looking for noticeable performance improvements (not subtle) but buying as little gear as possible. At the same time, if there are subtle but inexpensive improvements to be had that allow me to tinker around with my system, I'd also be interested in that.
With that in mind, I have a dizzying array of options, and it's not clear which produce noticeable improvements. My current set-up includes speakers which are capable of being both bi and tri-amped, a four channel amplifier, and a pre-amp with two outputs. I'm powering my speakers in 'bridge' mode instead of using one of the A/B outputs, but I'd like to play around with bi/tri-amping so long as it makes sense. I generally listen to digital music and so run it from a small PC to an external DAC before the pre-amp.
So, one option I could do today would be to bi-amp where I run both outputs from the pre-amp into the amp by essentially mixing the out/in signals - sending both left pre-amp outputs to the A channel input on the power amp and then sending left channel A to the left sub and the right channel A to the left woofer/tweeter (similar for B). However, I'm not really sure this would be any different than what I'm doing now - both drivers on the left side are getting the same signal so I'd be needlessly increasing the number of cables. If not, would there be any gain to tri-amping my speakers by adding (hopefully just one?) new power amp.
The other option I am considering (and will likely do for fun) is putting an active cross-over like one of the miniDSPs between the pre and power amp. Here, especially, is where I'm confused. If I have this set up and properly configured, will I see any benefit from removing my passive cross-overs, and/or what sort of benefit would I gain from tri-amping my speakers? If I bi-amp, would two power amps work better appreciably better than a four channel, and/or if I tri-amp, would I be able to get by using my four channel + two channel, or maybe my four channel + two one channels?
Equipment:
Speakers: Usher S-520/SW-520 6moons audio reviews: Usher S & SW-520
Power Amp: NAD C-245BEE https://nadelectronics.com/wp-conte...ur-Channel-Power-Amplifier-English-Manual.pdf
Pre-Amp: Antique Sound Lab Line one DT Antique Sound Lab Wave Line One tube preamp For Sale - US Audio Mart
DAC: Cambridge DACMagic Cambridge Audio Azur DacMagic D/A converter | Stereophile.com (I also have a PeachTree DAC IT that needs to be repaired. I don't really hear a difference in the two but convinced myself the DAC IT was better at one point in time.)
I'm primarily looking for noticeable performance improvements (not subtle) but buying as little gear as possible. At the same time, if there are subtle but inexpensive improvements to be had that allow me to tinker around with my system, I'd also be interested in that.
With that in mind, I have a dizzying array of options, and it's not clear which produce noticeable improvements. My current set-up includes speakers which are capable of being both bi and tri-amped, a four channel amplifier, and a pre-amp with two outputs. I'm powering my speakers in 'bridge' mode instead of using one of the A/B outputs, but I'd like to play around with bi/tri-amping so long as it makes sense. I generally listen to digital music and so run it from a small PC to an external DAC before the pre-amp.
So, one option I could do today would be to bi-amp where I run both outputs from the pre-amp into the amp by essentially mixing the out/in signals - sending both left pre-amp outputs to the A channel input on the power amp and then sending left channel A to the left sub and the right channel A to the left woofer/tweeter (similar for B). However, I'm not really sure this would be any different than what I'm doing now - both drivers on the left side are getting the same signal so I'd be needlessly increasing the number of cables. If not, would there be any gain to tri-amping my speakers by adding (hopefully just one?) new power amp.
The other option I am considering (and will likely do for fun) is putting an active cross-over like one of the miniDSPs between the pre and power amp. Here, especially, is where I'm confused. If I have this set up and properly configured, will I see any benefit from removing my passive cross-overs, and/or what sort of benefit would I gain from tri-amping my speakers? If I bi-amp, would two power amps work better appreciably better than a four channel, and/or if I tri-amp, would I be able to get by using my four channel + two channel, or maybe my four channel + two one channels?
Equipment:
Speakers: Usher S-520/SW-520 6moons audio reviews: Usher S & SW-520
Power Amp: NAD C-245BEE https://nadelectronics.com/wp-conte...ur-Channel-Power-Amplifier-English-Manual.pdf
Pre-Amp: Antique Sound Lab Line one DT Antique Sound Lab Wave Line One tube preamp For Sale - US Audio Mart
DAC: Cambridge DACMagic Cambridge Audio Azur DacMagic D/A converter | Stereophile.com (I also have a PeachTree DAC IT that needs to be repaired. I don't really hear a difference in the two but convinced myself the DAC IT was better at one point in time.)
Last edited: