Lateral Bi-amping RF7s.

[Soundthought]

Hello all,

I've recently aquired a few Adcom amps and I want to experiment a little.

I'm thinking of trying a few combinations of amps with my RF7s.

Lateral Bi-amping being one of them.

So far i've tried 10 different receivers, my Jolida tubes, and my B&K 2140 with my RF7s.

The tubes and the B&K making the most substantial improvements.

I really enjoy trying out new gear on my RFs.

Who doesn't.

These puppies can't tell a lie!

It's like listening to the ultimate "reality" of audio. he he.

About my experiment.

I'll be using my Denon 3801 and Adcom GTP 600 as pre-amps.

This is Lateral Bi-amping from what I understand.

You split the out-going pre-amp signal for each channel and run them into the amps as stereo inputs.

Then from each amp,

You run one channel for HF and the other for LF.

Is that correct?

What i'm working with is;

1. 3 Adcom GFA-555 MKII 200W/channel

2. 1 Adcom GFA-545 MKII 100W/channel

3. 1 B&K ST-2140 140W/channel

* The 555 is 325W RMS/bridged.

* The 545 and 2140 are not bridgeable.

* I have both bi-wire and standard cables.

I would reatly appreciate any suggestions as to other possible configurations?

[Deang]

Do NOT bridge the Adcoms. Bridging sounds horrible on horns. My friend Mark has the same exact amps, and we tried this with the RC7's he bought from me (I used to run RC7's as L/R, turned on the end, with the horns rotated).

3 Adcom GFA-555 MKII 200W/channel

Use (1) one of these to drive the woofers. Use 10 gauge stranded wire. Now, you have two amps left. What to do? These make incredible sub amps. Absolutely, without question -- get yourself two SVS subs, bridge the amps, and use one for each sub. For now, tuck those two amps away in a safe place and start saving for your two subs. I would opt for the 20-39CS subwoofer for $429 each. This is their base version with the upgraded driver. Since you would be using 2 of these, I think the base version will suffice.

1 Adcom GFA-545 MKII 100W/channel

1 B&K ST-2140 140W/channel

One of these will be used on the horns. You will have to try both to see which one sounds the best. I've got my money on the B&K's MOSFET output devices.

[Soundthought]

Thanks Dean!

No bridging. Check.

Although..

Just for fun last night, I threw together a set up in my dining room consisting of the GTP600pre, 2 555s bridged, and my KG3.5s.

I take back everthing bad I ever said about them.

I do see what you mean about horns not responding well to bridging in this situation.

Excellent suggestions Dean.

I'm gonna try just that.

Use 1 555 for the LF and probably the B&K for the HF.

The smoothness of the B&K will probably be complimentary to the horns.

You mentioned they make a great sub amp?

Did not know that.

Were in business now!

A couple of SVS flanking the RFs...

Ooooohhh very exciting.

I just love this kinda stuff.

Mod, upgrade, re mod, tweek, tweek, and roll!

Then you do a little dance and drink a little water.

I will report my findings ASAP.

[mobile homeless]

I think that dividing the signal up can yield more mediocre results that getting your system totally optimized for a single amplification device. Also, I dont know why you keep buying these amps when your preamp is REALLy in need of an upgrade. This would make FAR more of a difference than multi amps on something like the RF-7. If you want to play, yeah...it's fun. But as for music, I bet you will find the ultimate reward with one amp (or proper monoblocks) driving your RF-7 with an excellent source, preamp, and cable, with attention to system setup and detail.

One day, you will probaby end up selling the multiple amps and extra gear, and really concentrate on getting a synergistic main system that is musically rewarding. My take is your long term listening will suffer with your current approach.

kh

[Soundthought]

Mobile, I hear what your saying.

K.I.S.S yea?

You are absolutely right.

This thread is really just for fun.

I definately want to hear all the gear that comes through my house on my RF set up.

Unless any of these new arrangements really strike a positve nerve, then i'm gonna stick with my current set up.

Denon3801 -AQ Diamondbacks -B&K2140 -StraightWire Sextet IBW -RF7s

That along with a SWII for frontal support has yielded the best Mid-Fi sound I've heard. IMO.

I'm not quite ready to get into "true" Hi-Fi.

Still stuck in mid-fi HT la la land.

You are right about the pre-amp.

I have a GTP450 as well as the 600.

I'm not terribly impressed with them.

Although, The separates thing is still very greek to me.

I'm learning, but slowly.

Here's the real deal.

I bought the GTP600, GFA545, 3 GFA555s, and a PowerWedge113 as a package deal.

My thinking is off,

My judgement is clouded,

But my intention was to hook them up in the basement and just flat out ROCK. ya know?

It was one of "those" too good for me to pass up deals.

What can I say?

I'm going to integrate them into a basement rec-room system with my ForteIIs as mains, Quartets as rears, and both KG3.5s as centers.

Thanks for the advice, Kelly.

Indeed someday I will be having a massive electronics blow out.

But, until that day, i'm gonna play.

[mobile homeless]

I hear what you are saying; indeed. I had a lot of experience with the Adcoms in the 80s and can tell you flat out that the B&K amps from the same time period are a HUGE step up in sonics in my view. The B&K ST-202, ST-440, or M200 Sonata Monoblocks really make the Adcoms sound far more sterile with a flatter image and not as airy a soundstage (not to mention a better treble). The little 140wpc B&K ST-202 is such a more musical amp than the Adcom GFA-555; it's really a huge difference. One just went on ebay for $250 which is a STEAL for this little wonderful amp. I would trade three Adcom GFA-555 for one B&K ST-202(I owned an Adcom GFA-555 for many years - I lent that beast to everyone that could hook two wires up)! The Adcom does have a very nice bottom end...but the B&K sounds more tuneful, especially with vinyl.

But yeah, I think a big upgrade would be a better source and preamp (of course, I am more for tubes as you know). Dont you have the Jolida 202a? I cant remember which person has this piece. Lordy, I can barely remember my middle name at the moment....

kh

ps- The Adcom GFA-555 have very subpar RCA inputs. They are very fragile and will pull out with high quality wire and connectors if not careful. Also, make sure you remember that the RIGHT input is on TOP with the early units. Also, always check that stereo/mono switch to make sure you havent knocked it to wrong setting...it's easy to do.

[Soundthought]

Mobile- Did you have a series 1 GFA555 or a MKII?

Apparently, there are some substantial differences between the two.

Either way, they're built like tanks.

What ended up becoming of yours?

You said you had B&K back in the day.

For some reason, I thought they were fairly new.

I didn't realize they have been around for a while.

I'm seriously looking at their 507 receiver.

The key word here being "upgradable"

Yea, my ST2140 is a solid piece.

It's clean and simple in it's layout.

I like that.

I really appreciate B&Ks approach to quality affordable audio gear.

Of course, affordability is only relative to it's position in the audio genre'.

"Quality vs. Affordability"

Can we really have both?

Both those attributes can be perceived quite differently from buyer to buyer.

You know, "one mans' trash, is another mans' treasure."

It's all relative to your relatives.

LOL.

BTW. Yes, I do have a Jolida 202A.

I've been rolling, biasing, and burning for about 2 weeks.

I'm having alot of fun with it.

I believe Adcom has a place in my home.

Yep,

It's called the basement.

Just kidding Adcom Advocates.