2. amps-preamps
  3. 1002575279

What's better? 1 amp of 250wpc OR 2 amps of 135wpc each one?

Hi guys! my question is because I want to upgrade the amplication section of my system. I want to continue using the PREAMP section of my integrated amp (Musical Fidelity A300), but don't know what would be better, if using a 250 watts per channel amplifier (for example the Bryston 4ST) or if using a Musical Fidelity A3CR that is 120 watts to PASSIVE BI-AMP with the amp section of the integrated, so that's my confusion, What's better? One amplifier of 250wpc OR two amplifiers in passive biamping that together give 250 wpc? The A300 is 150 wpc and the A3CR is 120 wpc. Both are gain matched. I'm happy with the loudness I get with the A300, so I do not need my system to play louder, hence I also wonder if the AMPERES I have with both MF amps will cause a better improvement than the amperes I have with the Bryston 4st, or definitely more watts are better than more amperes?. Thanks for your recommendations. jorge
jorge_err
sqjudge
96 posts
 
I feel the that bi-amp is usually a great way to improve on a system's sound. If you like the way the A300 sounds it seems that a natural way to go is to passive bi-amp. If you are sure you do not need the extra voltage headroom of the 250 wpc amp, then I would definatly go with the A3CR. Chris
fineberg
151 posts
 
I've seen threads from a number of people use the very config you descibe and are very happy.
jvr
105 posts
 
what are you expecting from the biamp? if the a300 is loud enough...where are you going with this? i think you will get some sonic benefits for doing this...but not unbeleivable. i have used hafler amps in a horizontal biamp (as they were same 91 series but different output but having adjustable gain) not that much better but you could adjust for room problems with the gain (boomy bass was fixed by lowering the volume to the woofers). i have done vertical with anthem amp ones which helped greatly on inefficient speakers.

if it were me. i would look at upgrading another part of your system to give you a bigger bang. source; cables etc. try a tube amp maybe if everything else is perfect.

my thoughts anyway. good luck
sean
6,229 posts
 
Since you would be passively bi-amping, your gains would not be nearly as great as if you were actively bi-amping. How effective this would be would depend on the crossover frequency of the speakers being used and how the power was divided. If the speakers are HIGHLY reactive / tough to drive in one specific frequency range or at both ends of the spectrum, breaking up the power between them could be advantageous as compared to using one bigger amp.

Knowing exactly what speakers you were using might be a BIG help. Sean
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jorge_err OP
34 posts
 
Thanks all for your responses.
Jvr and Sean, I want to upgrade the amplification section due to I feel that my speakers (Magnepan 1.6qr, which are very inefficient)are not being driven with "ease", even I think the a300 is loud enough, the sound from the speakers is thin, so I thoght that the cause of this could be that the current was insufficient. I know that I would have more improvements with active biamping but I don't know if I can do it with an integrated amplifier. If this helps, my little system consists of: MF a300, MF A3CD, Analysis Plus Oval 12 spk cables (biwire set), Analysis Plus Oval copper interconnects, monster HTS2000. Thanks again for your responses...jorge.
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