Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems What is the 'correct' way to wire for bi-amping

Apologies for what amounts to a trivial question:

I have always assumed that the 'correct' way to bi-amp was to use Y-cables (IYSWIM) - that is, one cable from pre-amp/processor feeding the inputs on two amplifier channels (to supply bi-wired speakers - one channel for bass, one for treble). I have done this in the past - and was about to do so again when I thought I should double-check as I like to do things 'correctly'.

However, having asked, in both hi-fi stores and elsewhere, I have been met with stunned silence at worst and some 'best guesses'.... at best. I have asked customer support at M and they are yet to get back to me - but I am quite surprised that there is no standard reply (The person I spoke to said that he had never heard of anyone wishing to do this, which I also find surprising).

I know it will work using Y cables, but what is the collective wisdom on the 'best'/'correct' way to achieve bi-amplification? Does a Y cable stress the pre-amp/processor more than a single amplifier - is an intermediate stage required?

I am asking about balanced cables, but assume whatever the answer it will still hold for unbalanced cables(or am I wrong).

I would greatly appreciate collective wisdom on this matter.

Many thanks in anticipation.
Liam

Y adapters are fine.

Thanks for this.

A small corollary: Is it legitimate to drive an unbalanced input from a balanced output by connecting lines 1 and 3 (to the shield of the rca) and using line 2 as the signal/input (i.e. the pin of the rca plug)?

thanks
Liam

Most often passive bi-amping is done by people having 7.1 recievers and a 5.1 speakers setup, then feeling the need to use those two unused amps for something (though it comes from the same PS...). Those who have processors+amps usually buy just the needed amount of amps, or go for active bi-amping.

Or - as in my case - to drive the treble and bass sections of the passive speakers (L/R/C) independently as the received wisdom is that this makes a significant sonic improvement. I had considered active crossovers, as then the connections may be less of an issue - dependant upon the crossover connections, of course. However, the speaker designer was quite firm that the greatest improvement would come from bi-amping and that the (passive) crossover was extremely carefully designed and would not be matched by active replacement. (He considered Y cable perfectly acceptable).

I intend to use different amplifiers for each section. I have a number of channels available! (558s 557s and 505s). I am looking for the best sound I can achieve.

Liam

Such "received wisdom" is not universally accepted. If the single amp has adequate performance and power, using two will only offer a marginal increase in power and, imho, little else.

Well, he would.

OTOH, he is probably right in saying that "the (passive) crossover was extremely carefully designed and would not be matched by active replacement." No off-the-shelf active crossover will do as well.

Kal

Take a look at this link and it should show you exactly how to Bi-amp or Bi-wire. If you have outputs for two sets of speakers then the Bi-amp method at the foot of the page gives easily the best results IMHO. http://www.fluance.com/wiring.html

Thanks for the link - very informative - I should have said that the speaker connections are not the issue. I have used preamps (and amps) for many years in bi-amp, bi-wire configurations - but always with hardware with pass-through connections for the pre-amp outputs - hence my question about Y cables.

I received a reply from M today that Y cables are the way to go. My sincere thanks to all for your consideration and replies - very much appreciated.

Does anyone have any response to the XLR to rca wiring question? - do I link pins 1 and 3 at the XLR? (Seems counter-intuitive to me - but I have seen it documented in many places).

Many thanks to all
Liam

For lots of answers regarding balanced and unbalanced see this thread.

A quick link to the Rane web site page that has all the answers to your cabling needs.

Steve.

Many thanks for the links - Really helpful information!

I really appreciate the replies
Liam

Y-cables do stress preamp more because input impedance is half of one amp's. it doesn't matter much with most power amp, but Meridians have pretty low impedance from the start - 32 kOhm.
in my system G68 to one G57 works better than G68 to two G57s.
re XLR to RCA - you call is correct& but be careful, american and european companies may use reverse pins 2 and 3.

Thanks for this additional input. I tried the Y-cables and, similar to yourself and other good advice on the forum, after testing last night, decided that one cable into a bridged 558.2 is better than Y cable to two channels (unbridged on the 558.2) - quite simply it just sounds better (and the Y cable seemed to have a drastic effect on gain, so I guess there is a danger that would unbalance the rest of the channels as well as potentially straining the pre-amp/processor).

Simpler appears (and sounds) to be better.

In respect of the XLRs -> unbalanced - it will be all Meridian equipment, so no mismatches there (thankfully!)

Thanks for the clarification.

Liam