[Ian Davey]

Hi Everyone,

My first post so go gentle on my lack of Hi Fi knowledge please. I am running Von Schweikert VR 4SR speakers powered by Manley Neo Classic 250 tube amps. I really love the sound this gives. I have been considering bi amping the speakers for some time with 300B mono Blocks for the mid/upper and retain the Manley 250's for the base.

I am wondering if a 12 watt output 300B monobloc will be sufficient power for the VR 4SR's. I have written to Von Schweikert direct but cannot seem to generate a response from them. Does anybody have any experience or knowledge if this set up would work.

Regards
Ian

[ArthurDent]

Greetings & Welcome to AC Ian     Lots of generous and knowledgeable folks here, I'm sure someone will share their experience.

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome to AC 

[JakeJ]

Hello and welcome to AC, Ian.  There is our VS owner's circle you could post your query in as well.

I found a list of specs of the Mk II version and the sensitivity of the system is 92dB.  Perhaps the mid/tweeter section will be higher.  If you have an SPL meter you could just hook up the upper box and test/listen for your self.  Start out low on the volume and increase it slowly. 

Also, I'm guessing, the amp gets 12 watts because it has two 300B's in push-pull per channel?  One more caveat, check the input sensitivity spec on the Manley's and the 300B amp to see if there is a large disparity between the two.  At 9 o'clock the sound might be equal in output from the upper and lower sections but turn it up to the 12 o'clock position and one section might louder than the other.

I would definitely at least try it out

[Early B.]

I don't see any benefit to bi-amping in your case, especially since you love the sound you're getting from the 250-watt Manley amps.  If you have a pair of 300B monoblocks sitting around with nothing to do, they can be better used elsewhere. 

[FullRangeMan]

I don't see any benefit to bi-amping in your case, especially since you love the sound you're getting from the 250-watt Manley amps.  If you have a pair of 300B monoblocks sitting around with nothing to do, they can be better used elsewhere.

I was timid to say it.
But i will agree 100%.

[Ian Davey]

Thanks for the input everyone. Very much appreciated.

I hear what you are saying "Early B" regarding the benefit of bi-amping. I suppose I have heard so much about greater warmth and musicality from 300B's that I want to test it and see if there would be an improvement. (the never ending chase of the hi-fi addict).

The 300B's I am considering are the Manley. They give 12 watts in parallel single ended & 24 watts in push pull.

I will check out the input sensitivity.

Cheers and thanks everyone

[FullRangeMan]

Check this site for tube amps and hi sensitivity speakers:
http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/speakers.html