| Theater 4 passively biamped [message #39730] |
Sun, 05 January 2003 12:48  |
Garland
Messages: 269
Registered: May 2009
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Grand Master |
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I've successfully rewired the crossovers to passively biamp the Theater 4 Pi's. After a bit of a problem with adding an extra output to my Foreplay tubed preamp the Theater 4's are sounding better than ever.Modified Bottlehead Paramour 2A3 amps are handling the highs and a rewired Heathkit AA-111 EL-84 amp is in charge down below! There is more separation between notes, imaging has improved and the dynamic ceiling has lifted. Now I can't wait to get the system actively biamped with the tubed crossover that Wayne and others are working on. Wish I knew enough to chip in! G.
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| Re: Theater 4 passively biamped [message #39736 is a reply to message #39730] |
Sun, 05 January 2003 14:40  |
wasteh202
Messages: 137
Registered: May 2009
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Master |
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Garland, that sounds pretty good to me. When I build the Theater 4's, I might fool around with such mods as well, after hearing the Studio 2 Tower with no XO I can understand the desire to go active on the XO. It does suprise me a bit that the passive route benifitted you as much as it did but to that I say congrats! we never know about those things till we try. Some will try to discourage others because they have tried things and it did not bring the results they were looking for. Still do the same because they do not believe that "on paper" it makes sense. I say keep an open mind, try it, and see for yourself. Good job.
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| Re: Excellent [message #39746 is a reply to message #39730] |
Sun, 05 January 2003 18:23 |
bmar
Messages: 346
Registered: May 2009
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Grand Master |
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Nice job! I have never tried to do a passive biamp before. Always used an active unit. Results have also been like yours, and biamped sounds so much more fulland detailed to me. It seems to unleash a whole new set of dynamics. cool stuff huh. Bill
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| Can you send me your schematic you are using?? [message #39751 is a reply to message #39730] |
Mon, 06 January 2003 06:29 |
spkrman57
Messages: 522
Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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G,
I would like to passively crossover between the preamp and amps like you have described. If you can send me the scheatic with the crossover points (I am guessing 1.6khz) I would appreciate. I think if you could post the schematic to the Pi forum, there are many others who would do the same. I would be using Dynaco SCA-35 and ST-70 for mine, but crossover at 800hz using Altec horns and drivers. I will take the signal from the volume control in the SCA-35 (it is integrated amp) and custom rewire for preamp out and power amp inputs. Thanks for posting this, I have been waiting for a post like this one.
Regards, Ron
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| Re: Theater 4 passively biamped [message #39753 is a reply to message #39730] |
Mon, 06 January 2003 07:12 |
DRC
Messages: 169
Registered: May 2009
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Master |
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Man, no dust gathering on your system! I think you'll have an even greater sense of no dynamic limiting when you go active. Tailor the response and then amplify it, rather than amplify it, then soak up gobs of the output in passive component.
Keep your ears and your mind open.
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| Re: Can you send me your schematic you are using?? [message #39754 is a reply to message #39751] |
Mon, 06 January 2003 08:30 |
Garland
Messages: 269
Registered: May 2009
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Grand Master |
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Hi Ron, Sorry, but the crossover is still between amps and drivers. I just separated the two filters from being parallel to each other to being totally separate. Paul Joppa has designed a simple passive line level crossover for experimental purposes which could be adapted for use with Pi speakers. Unfortunately I can't advise on adding a suitable compensation and zobel network to this crossover. Check out the Bottlehead forum for more details. Paul's schematic may have been E-published on the latest Valve Magazine and is free for download. Valve can be accessed trough the Bottlehead Forum or the Bottlehead.com.
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| Re: Theater 4 passively biamped [message #39756 is a reply to message #39736] |
Mon, 06 January 2003 08:44 |
Garland
Messages: 269
Registered: May 2009
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Grand Master |
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Well you know, the difference is in someways subtle but when we're talking about the sound generated with very efficient drivers and low powered and simple tube circuits every little change made is distinctly audible. Basically my goal was to get the quality of treble responce that the Paramours deliver along with the power capable from the PP amp on the woofers. I image a good bit of the improvement was from now having 3.5 watts on the horns and 7 watts+/- on the woofer. I had the Heath amp running in ultralinear and loved the pacing and attack of the notes with decent tone but the treble was a bit rough which seemed to make the midrange a bit grainy as well. Rewiring to triode mode and biamping with the Paramours seems to work pretty well but by no means am I at the end of my tweaking and will definitely be going to active crossovers asap. G.
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