Bi-amp using Integrated and Power amp?

[ifsixwasnin9]

Wanted to know if I can bi-amp using an Integrated Amp and a Power Amp? Can I use a RCA Y-splitter cable from the Integrated preamp outputs to the Power Amp then the remaining RCA plug(s) into the Integrated Power Amp input(s)? The Integrated Amp Preamp will then control both amps and will be set up properly?

(I have a Yamaha 100wpc Integrated Amp and I wanted to add a (higher power) Power amp so I can Bi-amp my new Kappa 8.1s which I just purchased so I can get the most out of these speakers.)

 

[bandphan]

Wanted to know if I can bi-amp using an Integrated Amp and a Power Amp? Can I use a RCA Y-splitter cable from the Integrated preamp outputs to the Power Amp then the remaining RCA plug(s) into the Integrated Power Amp input(s)? The Integrated Amp Preamp will then control both amps and will be set up properly?

(I have a Yamaha 100wpc Integrated Amp and I wanted to add a (higher power) Power amp so I can Bi-amp my new Kappa 8.1s which I just purchased so I can get the most out of these speakers.)

not a good idea to. First and foremost you are passive biamping which yields very little to no benefit. You would be much better served to go with just the larger amp or buy bigger amp if the other isnt meeting your needs.

 

[ifsixwasnin9]

I won't get the benefit of two amplifiers this way? What's the proper way to bi-amp? Is it possible to biamp with an integrated amp as one of the power sources?

 

[bandphan]

Without an active crossover there is little benefit. The passive crossover does the same divide as it would with a single amp. The use of different rated amps causes many issues. You are better off getting 1 strong amp if your not going the active route. You must successfully divide the power as needed. Bi amping is useless unless active. Buy 1 big power amp and utilize the passive crossover

 

[bandphan]

Search the amps and speaker forums for "passive bi-amping" and there is many threads discussing this

 

[MatthewB.]

I used to think the same thing when I had all these outboard power amps and my Onkyo 805 has all this power too and I have DefTech BP7001 which can effectively be bi-amped, but then I remembered a lesson taught to me years ago. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) you will not gain anything by biamping and actually may do more harm to teh sound than good.

As mentioned unless you have active outboard crossovers then forget it. You will never hear the deifference and most speakers are efficient and will not need any "imiganinary" benefits by bi-amping. Seriously your recievers amp 90% of the time is chugging along at just a couple watts and is only needed when heavy bass is used, but if you have a subwoofer than that negates the need for power hungry amps. With all my powered subs in my main system and my Onkyo 805 (Mains only) and three outboard stereo amps (center and surrounds) , my main system is pushing 5000 watts (potentially) 90% of the time I am using maybe 50 watts

Also by biamping any amp you are also doubling the THD something else to think about. KISS