[toddgoldblum]

I would like to biamp my frontchannel speakers. I have sp1.7processor, lexicon 7channel amp, and 5 speakers (c,r,l,rs,ls). How do i hook-up the processor to do this?
Todd

[Jason Nugent]

You can do what I did.  I have an SP2 and a 9BSST for my surround speakers and I wanted to bi-amp my centre channel.  I got a "Y" XLR cable made by Blue Jeans Cables.  It takes the centre channel output of my SP2 and runs it to two of the channel inputs on my 9B.  I then use those two channels to bi-amp my speaker.  Working great so far,  and the cable cost me $30 or so.    In your case, you'd need two of those cables and four of the channels on your lexicon.

[Levi]

You can also use the balanced XLR and RCA output from the SP1.7 preamp.  It should work without problem.  It would also work if you want to run 2 subs.

I would like to biamp my frontchannel speakers. I have sp1.7processor, lexicon 7channel amp, and 5 speakers (c,r,l,rs,ls). How do i hook-up the processor to do this?
Todd

[alpsy]

You can also use the balanced XLR and RCA output from the SP1.7 preamp.  It should work without problem.  It would also work if you want to run 2 subs.

[/quote]

can the 2 outputs be used similtaneously?

cheers,

julie

[Levi]

Yes. 

Enjoy.
Levi

You can also use the balanced XLR and RCA output from the SP1.7 preamp.  It should work without problem.  It would also work if you want to run 2 subs.

can the 2 outputs be used similtaneously?

cheers,

julie
[/quote]

[toddgoldblum]

Thanks everyone. One other thing - if the 2 front are biamped, will they overpower the center and surrounds for HT? I've got Martin Logan Ascent i front, cinema i center, clarity surrounds.
Todd

[Jason Nugent]

Thanks everyone. One other thing - if the 2 front are biamped, will they overpower the center and surrounds for HT? I've got Martin Logan Ascent i front, cinema i center, clarity surrounds.
Todd

They shouldn't, so long as you set the levels the same using the level test on the 1.7.  I suppose that the one channel on the lexicon driving the centre channel might have to work a bit harder than the ones used to bi-amp your L and R, though.   The centre channel usually gets quite a workout in a HT setting.

[jethro]

I'm not sure if it is still the case, but the balanced output of the SP 1.7 should be 6dB higher than the unbalanced. It's probably simpler to use a Y-cable than both outputs.

[BMU (Bryston Maggie User)]

I'm not sure if it is still the case, but the balanced output of the SP 1.7 should be 6dB higher than the unbalanced. It's probably simpler to use a Y-cable than both outputs.

I was thinking of using both the RCA and XLR outputs from my SP1.7 to my 9BST.  Is the XLR output 6db higher?  If so then a passive bi-amp setup would require some form of Y-cable for EITHER the RCA or XLR outputs, right?

I am currently using a a RCA Y-cable.  Would a XLR Y-cable still provide the benefits of a balanced connection?

Thanks
Alex

[alexone]

You can do what I did.  I have an SP2 and a 9BSST for my surround speakers and I wanted to bi-amp my centre channel.  I got a "Y" XLR cable made by Blue Jeans Cables.  It takes the centre channel output of my SP2 and runs it to two of the channel inputs on my 9B.  I then use those two channels to bi-amp my speaker.  Working great so far,  and the cable cost me $30 or so.    In your case, you'd need two of those cables and four of the channels on your lexicon.

hi, jason!

could you name me the distributor/dealer for blue jeans cables, please?

is that ''y'' xlr cable a selfmade one? never heard about cables like these...but the idea sounds good indeed.

cheers,

al.

[Phil A]

You can do what I did.  I have an SP2 and a 9BSST for my surround speakers and I wanted to bi-amp my centre channel.  I got a "Y" XLR cable made by Blue Jeans Cables.  It takes the centre channel output of my SP2 and runs it to two of the channel inputs on my 9B.  I then use those two channels to bi-amp my speaker.  Working great so far,  and the cable cost me $30 or so.    In your case, you'd need two of those cables and four of the channels on your lexicon.

hi, jason!

could you name me the distributor/dealer for blue jeans cables, please?

Blue Jeans sells direct to the public via their website.  I use a self made "Y" XLR cable for two subs.

is that ''y'' xlr cable a selfmade one? never heard about cables like these...but the idea sounds good indeed.

cheers,

al.

[jethro]

I'm not sure if it is still the case, but the balanced output of the SP 1.7 should be 6dB higher than the unbalanced. It's probably simpler to use a Y-cable than both outputs.

I was thinking of using both the RCA and XLR outputs from my SP1.7 to my 9BST.  Is the XLR output 6db higher?  If so then a passive bi-amp setup would require some form of Y-cable for EITHER the RCA or XLR outputs, right?

I am currently using a a RCA Y-cable.  Would a XLR Y-cable still provide the benefits of a balanced connection?

Thanks
Alex

Alex:

The XLR/balanced outputs should be 6dB higher than the unbalanced RCA. You will need a Y-cable.
I'm not familiar with balanced/XLR Y-cables. I'm not even sure if it is possible or what effect it may have
if possible.

HTH.

[James Tanner]

I'm not sure if it is still the case, but the balanced output of the SP 1.7 should be 6dB higher than the unbalanced. It's probably simpler to use a Y-cable than both outputs.

I was thinking of using both the RCA and XLR outputs from my SP1.7 to my 9BST.  Is the XLR output 6db higher?  If so then a passive bi-amp setup would require some form of Y-cable for EITHER the RCA or XLR outputs, right?

I am currently using a a RCA Y-cable.  Would a XLR Y-cable still provide the benefits of a balanced connection?

Thanks
Alex

Alex:

The XLR/balanced outputs should be 6dB higher than the unbalanced RCA. You will need a Y-cable.
I'm not familiar with balanced/XLR Y-cables. I'm not even sure if it is possible or what effect it may have
if possible.

HTH.

Yes we can do a set of Balanced Y cables for you.

james

[b5pt9]

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

[BMU (Bryston Maggie User)]

Yes we can do a set of Balanced Y cables for you.

james

[/quote]

Good to know that it is possible but do I need to go XLR?  My original question was to see if I could get away from using a Y-cable altogether (which I presume is associated with some sonic drawback).

I've tried to read the former posts on the advantages of XLR connections.  My cable runs are pretty short (<6ft) so I don't *think* I'm  getting alot noise along them.  As others have suggested one may not always notice a difference with common mode noise reduction / rejection at work.  

I guess what I need to know is...

a) the downside of using a Y-cable RCA or XLR to facilitate passive biamping.  (I must say that I find passive biamping (4/5 9BST channels) in my setup to be noticably superior to single amping (2/5 9BST channels) for my Maggie 1.6QR's)

b) if I can't get away from using a Y-cable because of the 6db gain increase when both RCA and XLR outs of the SP1.7 are used then is there any benefit in changing my RCA-Y-cable setup to a XLR one (apart from CMNR... 6dB signal increase mentioned below)

c) if the 6dB signal increase associated with XLR connections of any value besides making things sound louder.  I typically listen with the volume on the SP1.7 at -15 to -8dB.  No red lights on the amps or anything but I wonder if would it be better either sonically and/or for the amps to be operating at a lower "power band"  (don't know the term to use here).

Sorry if this is a little long-winded.

Alex

[James Tanner]

Yes we can do a set of Balanced Y cables for you.

james

Good to know that it is possible but do I need to go XLR?  My original question was to see if I could get away from using a Y-cable altogether (which I presume is associated with some sonic drawback).

I've tried to read the former posts on the advantages of XLR connections.  My cable runs are pretty short (<6ft) so I don't *think* I'm  getting alot noise along them.  As others have suggested one may not always notice a difference with common mode noise reduction / rejection at work.  

I guess what I need to know is...

a) the downside of using a Y-cable RCA or XLR to facilitate passive biamping.  (I must say that I find passive biamping (4/5 9BST channels) in my setup to be noticably superior to single amping (2/5 9BST channels) for my Maggie 1.6QR's)

b) if I can't get away from using a Y-cable because of the 6db gain increase when both RCA and XLR outs of the SP1.7 are used then is there any benefit in changing my RCA-Y-cable setup to a XLR one (apart from CMNR... 6dB signal increase mentioned below)

c) if the 6dB signal increase associated with XLR connections of any value besides making things sound louder.  I typically listen with the volume on the SP1.7 at -15 to -8dB.  No red lights on the amps or anything but I wonder if would it be better either sonically and/or for the amps to be operating at a lower "power band"  (don't know the term to use here).

Sorry if this is a little long-winded.

Alex


[/quote]

Hi,


A.  There is no downside to the Y cable other than the preamp has to be able to provide voltage drive for 2 inputs instead of just one.

B. No real advantage to changing to XLR other than CMNR.

C. The extra 6dB just makes things louder so there is no advantage in signal to noise etc. other than the CMNR you mentioned.

james

[jethro]

James:

Is it safe to use the SP-1.7 and BP-25 to drive balanced Y-cables ?


James and Everybody else:

Does anybody have the wiring diagram for an XLR Y-cable ?


Thanks, Steve

[Phil A]

James:

Is it safe to use the SP-1.7 and BP-25 to drive balanced Y-cables ?


James and Everybody else:

Does anybody have the wiring diagram for an XLR Y-cable ?


Thanks, Steve

The terminals on an XLR connector are labeled "1,2 & 3."  So just make sure you keep them right.   www.jenving.se, a Swedish cable manufacturer used to have good wiring diagrams and FAQ and technical info on cables.

[jethro]

Thanks Phil. I think I can handle that.

Rane also has some good wiring diagrams for cables.
I can't post a link because they appear to get upset
when people place a link to their website  .
To put them at ease, I have no affiliation with Rane whatsoever,
I just own one of their parametric equalizers.