Does Bi-amping really make a difference in sound?


I have really been torn in the past week in how I should improve my Home theater stereo System. I presently own the following gear:

Oppo Blu-ray Player
Yaqin Tube Buffer (w/ 6SN7 Tung Sol Oval plate Tubes)
Cambridge Audio DAC Magic
NAD C-375 Integrated Amplifier
PSB Synchrony Two loudspeakers
Nordost Red Dawn Ics
Audioquest VDM-X Digital Cable

An experienced audiophile and design engineer who designs speakers and custom electronic gear has told me that in order to improve my sound drastically I need to Bi-amp my speakers. Since PSB speakers have separate crossovers for the tweeter/mid and bass, that I could take advantage of this and bi-amp them and really make them sing.

I was told that I should buy a another amplifier and use the Pre outs of the NAD C-375 Integrated amp and even tailor my sound by selecting the appropriate amp with the same power wattage.
I am thinking of getting an NAD C-275 or the Vincent Audio SP-331 Power Amp to connect to the Pre outs of my NAD C-375 and bi-amp my speakers with two sets of Harmonic Technology Melody cables running shotgun to my speakers.

I also plan to upgrade my digital cable to the HT Digital Silver cable and maybe the HT Silway link Silver to my DAC to NAD C-375 connection over my present Nordost Red Dawn.

My dealer friend disagrees with my approach that bi-amping will improve my sound as he said he conducted a similar setup with the PSB Synchrony Ones in his store and did not hear any differences. I am wondering if he is just wants to steer me in the direction of getting a Rogue Audio Preamp and NAD C-275 combination, which I have considered as well.

Any expertise and advice in this situation would be greatly appreciated. I unfortunately cannot tryout these situations or go listen to them in a store due to my location and have to rely on people’s advice.
rlh157

Showing 2 responses by elizabeth

Biamping is a novice's dream. But actually not a good idea for the unaware. I would never recommend a person go biamp. Only if they know what they are doing, and are certain of what the are doing, THEN yeah, good.
Way too many folks want to biamp and do not know what it entails, nor what the results will be. At best it is just as good as spending the money on a single much better amp, and average, one cannot tell any difference, and at worst it sounds crummy AND you blew the money for nothing.
So my adviceis to skip biamping, unless the person who said 'do it' is gonna let you audition the setup and at no cost to you if you decide it is not for you.
I would definitely spend the money to upgrade on a better (single amp, or a pair of monoblocks) amp, and sell your old one.
This question of biamping comes up really often, and the same advice is appropriate for nearly all folks asking about biamping.
Some folks DO biamp very successfully, and praise the results. But for the average person it really is not a good idea. (if you want to try it, and can spend the money with no regrets, and like to fool around with your stuff then go for it. Otherwise forget it.)
The non OP-question discussion above: If YOU CARE about other folks, then answer the OP question. If you do not care about the OP, then skip complaining, OK? Just ignore the post.
One COULD have mentioned that a LOT of useful advice on this topic has been posted. But to start ('itty-bitty') flaming away does NO ONE any good (except the 'flamer' gets the smug feeling of 'dissing someone.)
And to the OP: do not worry about the stuff moaning about your post. It is a fair post, irregardless of 'some' opinions posted.
From your friendly AudiogoN "Politically Correct" one woman police patrol. LOL!!!