Passive Bi-amping with Bryston

Allezvite · « **on:** 25 Aug 2005, 07:10 pm »

I have a 3BSST powering my Linn Keilidh (passive X-over) speakers. From past experience, the Keilidh responds well to passive biamping and responded best when powered by identical power amps, not just ones with an identical gain specification.

Question:

If I biamp with one 2BSSTC for the treble and one 3BSST for the mid-bass on my Keilidhs, will it sound as good as going with two 3BSST's?

I have not had the opportunity to A/B the differences between the two of these options as my local dealer tends to stock 2B's and 4B's, not 3B's.

Another way of asking this: Is the treble / mid performance of the 2BSSTC equal to that of the 3BSST?

Sebastiaan de Vries · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Sep 2005, 04:47 pm »

Dear Allezvite,

So far I know and can see from the schematic's on the Bryston site, all the SST amps use the same topologie, same type of layout and powersupply. Even the same components. The only difference is, the higher you go, the more power you get.

I think you can use a 2BBSST for the tweeter easy. You can never have enough power but only for a tweeter a 3BSST would be overkill, and not necessary. Besides I hear great things about the mid and highs from the 2BSST!

Kind Regards,
Bas

Allezvite · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Sep 2005, 01:29 pm »

I guess the only way to know for sure is to try it. I will use an old Linn trick to determine the best configuration, which is to always put the best amp on the treble.

When using Linn amplifiers previously I had a more powerful LK-140 and an older less powerful LK-100 amp at one time. You put the more powerful amp on the bass right? Not according to the dealer.

All things being equal, put the more powrful amp on the bass, but if you have a disparity in sonic quality between the amps at all, the better amp should go on the treble regardless of power.

I tried it, and sure enough the system sounded much better with the more powerful LK-140 on the treble vs. the less powerful LK-100. If you listen to just your tweeters, you realize how little energy is coming out vs. the mids/woofers, but that treble quality is so important to the overall sound.

Strange but true....