arcam a80 power amp

markpne19 · 16 Aug 2006 at 20:15

got an a 80 amp with my b&w 603.3 just wondered if any one could tell me if buying the power amp and bi wiring the speakers would be a noticible upgrade

squiffy · 16 Aug 2006 at 21:26

No.
Passive bi-amping will be worthwhile, although active would be even better.

Clarkey · 16 Aug 2006 at 22:30

whats passive and active bi-amping? not heard of that before.

squiffy · 16 Aug 2006 at 22:39

http://padrick.net/LiveSound/Biwiring/Biwiring.htm

Basically passive biamping is using two, 2 channel poweramps, reproducing full-range to "normal" dual input socket speakers, each to HF and LF (bridging links removed) Although both amplifiers are reproducing full-range, there is a noticeable improvement over a single amplifier.

Active bi-amping is splitting the frequency signal at line level, before the poweramp stage. So one amplifier is only receiving <50hz, other 50>hz. The speakers themselves have no crossover. So make sure you don't connect up the bass amplifier to the tweeter inputs. Instant poof!

tom_nieto · 17 Aug 2006 at 07:57

I think what is meant here is bi-amping. Yes that would make a difference.

markpne19 · 17 Aug 2006 at 09:13

just wondering is there any one out there that has done this with the arcam

squiffy · 17 Aug 2006 at 09:24

I've had Arcam in the past, done single wired, bi-wired and passive biamping.

markpne19 · 17 Aug 2006 at 13:26

would you say its worth spending £400 on a power amp or sell my current amp and use the extra money to upgrade ?

bitslice · 17 Aug 2006 at 14:12

I bi-amped my Arcam,
I wouldn't say it made a OMG type difference, but it was certainly better with say Tori Amos piano stuff.
It was a better upgrade than going out and replacing all the other kit to match. Plus there is a comfort factor in staying with the same kit, (and it looks good)

.

squiffy · 17 Aug 2006 at 15:22

An upgrade over bi-amping imo.
Audiolab single amp > Arcam bi-amp.

A mate sold his Arcam gear and bought Audiolab after borrowing my Audiolab kit.

(not the new Audiolab, pre-IAG)

bitslice · 17 Aug 2006 at 16:24

squiffy said:
Audiolab single amp > Arcam bi-amp..... (not the new Audiolab, pre-IAG)

...but Arcam + Audoiolab are just different sounding amps ?
(yeh, IAG did appear to mess up what was a very nice design)

I guess the OP could go out and listen to some higher end stuff.

Naim ?