Dumb question about bi-amping

[patnshan]

Hello,

I have a Marantz SR-8400 receiver and love it. I am going to upgrade the speakers shortly and am considering some fronts that can be bi-amped. The question I have is this. Can I use the 7 internal amps in addition to using outboard amps with the preouts? Basically, I would have two amps for each channel or does using the preamps defeat the internal amps? I run a 5.1 config and plan to use the added 2.0 for outside patio speakers. So, if biamping the fronts, I would be using all 7 channels plus an outboard 2 channel. Can I do this?

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I am still trying to learn the details of these not so plug and play receivers.
Thanks,
Pat

 

[Spiffyfast]

You should still have full use of your internal amps when you add on an external amp through the pre-out.

 

[nak45z]

I have a similar question. i have the AR Phantom 8.3's and they can be bi amped.. If i am using the Yamaha rx2500, how can i do this.

as i listen to music every other morning, i notice the 8's on the 8.3 don't give a lot of midbass. Might it just be the tuning of the rx or what.

 

[Spiffyfast]

I have a similar question. i have the AR Phantom 8.3's and they can be bi amped.. If i am using the Yamaha rx2500, how can i do this.

as i listen to music every other morning, i notice the 8's on the 8.3 don't give a lot of midbass. Might it just be the tuning of the rx or what.

do you have a link for your mains, can't seem to find it through google

 

[patnshan]

You should still have full use of your internal amps when you add on an external amp through the pre-out.

Thanks. So theoretically, I can have 7 internal amps and 7 external amps (not including the sub) totalling 14. I wouldn't do that, I just wanted to maybe add a 100 x 2 audiosource amp to biamp the fronts if I get those type of speakers. Am I right?
If so, do people usually balance the power going to each portion of the mains or overpower the highs or lows in the two amps going to the biamped fronts?

Thanks much,

Pat

 

[Spiffyfast]

Thanks. So theoretically, I can have 7 internal amps and 7 external amps (not including the sub) totalling 14. I wouldn't do that, I just wanted to maybe add a 100 x 2 audiosource amp to biamp the fronts if I get those type of speakers. Am I right?
If so, do people usually balance the power going to each portion of the mains or overpower the highs or lows in the two amps going to the biamped fronts?

Thanks much,

Pat

Yes, theoretically you could. About the power, your highs and mids dont need near the power your midbass does. It takes a lot more power to hit those lower notes than the higher ones. I'd run the highs off the receiver and shoot for maybe a 150 watt amp to give the low end a little more umph. But you may notice little or no difference either way you do it. Make sure you get an amp you can return easily if it doesnt add that much to your setup.

 

[nak45z]

I can't find any good techical site either. i do know that in the rear of the speaker. it has two addition post for separating the 8 from the main connection. and it has a switch for the separation too. what do you sugguest

 

[patnshan]

Yes, theoretically you could. About the power, your highs and mids dont need near the power your midbass does. It takes a lot more power to hit those lower notes than the higher ones. I'd run the highs off the receiver and shoot for maybe a 150 watt amp to give the low end a little more umph. But you may notice little or no difference either way you do it. Make sure you get an amp you can return easily if it doesnt add that much to your setup.

Thanks. It's just one of those things that runs through one's mind when they are starting to suffer from upgraditis If it can be done, I am always the one who wants to try it.

Pat

 

[Spiffyfast]

Thanks. It's just one of those things that runs through one's mind when they are starting to suffer from upgraditis If it can be done, I am always the one who wants to try it.

Pat

Very understandable, I was orignally going to get Paradigm Monitor 7's they could be biamped and I was def. going to try it out, I just like the look of external amps in an audio rack. But now I'm getting my Acoustech 75's and they can't be biamped, oh well, I love the horn tweeter so its all good, I hope to not have any complaints.

 

[MDS]

"pre-out" is short pre-amplifier output; ie they are outputs of the preamp and thus are before the amplifier. If you use the pre-outs, the signal will bypass the internal amplifiers so you cannot use both the pre-outs and the internal amplifiers at the same time.

Some receivers with zone2 capabilities allow you to assign the rear surround channels to either the internal amps or the zone 2 pre-outs. Thus you could use the zone2 pre-outs to an external 2 channel amp and use that to biamp the mains. There was a huge thread here about doing just that with the Denon 3805.

 

[Spiffyfast]

"pre-out" is short pre-amplifier output; ie they are outputs of the preamp and thus are before the amplifier. If you use the pre-outs, the signal will bypass the internal amplifiers so you cannot use both the pre-outs and the internal amplifiers at the same time.

Some receivers with zone2 capabilities allow you to assign the rear surround channels to either the internal amps or the zone 2 pre-outs. Thus you could use the zone2 pre-outs to an external 2 channel amp and use that to biamp the mains. There was a huge thread here about doing just that with the Denon 3805.

thnx for correcting me, but I'm pretty sure my receiver still outputs through the speaker level even though Im using an external amp for some 4ohm bookshelves I'm using for surround speakers, I'll check it out tonight after work to make sure though

 

[patnshan]

"pre-out" is short pre-amplifier output; ie they are outputs of the preamp and thus are before the amplifier. If you use the pre-outs, the signal will bypass the internal amplifiers so you cannot use both the pre-outs and the internal amplifiers at the same time.

Some receivers with zone2 capabilities allow you to assign the rear surround channels to either the internal amps or the zone 2 pre-outs. Thus you could use the zone2 pre-outs to an external 2 channel amp and use that to biamp the mains. There was a huge thread here about doing just that with the Denon 3805.

So I guess I cannot do it even if I wanted to. I use zone 2 to power two outdoor speakers. Thanks.
Pat

 

[Spiffyfast]

If thats how it actually works then you still can, just use a stereo amp for each speaker.

 

[Duffinator]

"pre-out" is short pre-amplifier output; ie they are outputs of the preamp and thus are before the amplifier. If you use the pre-outs, the signal will bypass the internal amplifiers so you cannot use both the pre-outs and the internal amplifiers at the same time.

Some receivers with zone2 capabilities allow you to assign the rear surround channels to either the internal amps or the zone 2 pre-outs. Thus you could use the zone2 pre-outs to an external 2 channel amp and use that to biamp the mains. There was a huge thread here about doing just that with the Denon 3805.

I don't think that's correct. I have my 3805 bi-amped. So the normal front channels are powered AND the front pre-outs are rerouted back into the receiver to amplify the zone 3 output. If the pre-outs cut off the signal to the fronts the bi-amp wouldn't work. So both the front channels and zone three from the pre-out are powered and sent to my front speakers.

 

[Spiffyfast]

I don't think that's correct. I have my 3805 bi-amped. So the normal front channels are powered AND the front pre-outs are rerouted back into the receiver to amplify the zone 3 output. If the pre-outs cut off the signal to the fronts the bi-amp wouldn't work. So both the front channels and zone three from the pre-out are powered and sent to my front speakers.

its good to know I'm not crazy

 

[Duffinator]

So I guess I cannot do it even if I wanted to. I use zone 2 to power two outdoor speakers. Thanks.
Pat

If you really think you need more power for your new speakers forget the bi-amp and get a good seperate amp for your front speaker. I'd wait and use your new speakers first and see how they sound.

 

[newfmp3]

this is something I've been meaning to try.

I got bi-amp able m80's, and the NAd is bi-amp'able as well. But, all my speaker wires are in wall, and I don't fell like running more because it's a major job. And I run network cables all the time, so I'm telling ya, it ain't going to be easy.

hmmmmm, you got me thinking now though. Even if I could run something across the floor just to see.

Why do I read this forum...why? WHY can't I leave good enough alone?

 

[Spiffyfast]

this is something I've been meaning to try.

I got bi-amp able m80's, and the NAd is bi-amp'able as well. But, all my speaker wires are in wall, and I don't fell like running more because it's a major job. And I run network cables all the time, so I'm telling ya, it ain't going to be easy.

hmmmmm, you got me thinking now though. Even if I could run something across the floor just to see.

Why do I read this forum...why? WHY can't I leave good enough alone?

because its never good enough and we always want MORE POWER, I miss Home Improvement

 

[MacManNM]

Thanks. So theoretically, I can have 7 internal amps and 7 external amps (not including the sub) totalling 14. I wouldn't do that, I just wanted to maybe add a 100 x 2 audiosource amp to biamp the fronts if I get those type of speakers. Am I right?
If so, do people usually balance the power going to each portion of the mains or overpower the highs or lows in the two amps going to the biamped fronts?

Thanks much,

Pat

The internal amp of your Marantz will outperform any Audiosource amp. If you are going to upgrade I'd suggest that you get something that is at least 200w/ch. I am not a fan of that company because I’ve had quite a few problems with their products in the past, as have several people I know.

 

[MDS]

I don't think that's correct. I have my 3805 bi-amped. So the normal front channels are powered AND the front pre-outs are rerouted back into the receiver to amplify the zone 3 output. If the pre-outs cut off the signal to the fronts the bi-amp wouldn't work. So both the front channels and zone three from the pre-out are powered and sent to my front speakers.

That's very interesting. Have you ever tried running the front L/R pre-outs to an external amp with the speaker wire from that amp to one of the binding posts as well as speaker wire from the receiver's L/R speakers to the other binding posts? That is what the original question was about. I would love to know if that works. It shouldn't...but I could be wrong.

With your connections, you are looping the signal right back into the pre-amp and that is different.