Bi-amping Basics

[Hibernator69 47]

Will come back to this when I get my C-2 delivered. Adding XLR outputs sounds like the solution - at least for my listening room.

[zumbini 6,147]

For details on the balance board and C-2 mods read Balanced outputs on a C-1/11 and Balanced C-2.

[Hibernator69 47]

Uh, umm, err, ...

 

I might have just succumbed to the OCCD solution as well and ordered 1 or more of the P1.5ts at $229 each ...

 

Somebody PLEASE buy the remaining 3 units before I strike again!!!

 

Also, somebody PLEASE buy the PM2.0t for $350 that has been seducing me for the last couple days.

 

p.s.  Do you think in the end one of us (me likely) could end up on TLC's hoarders with a house full of audio gear?  Needless to say you'd have at least 400 amp service from the power company and sparking, arcing, and frayed wires all over the place ...

 

 

[Gene C 1,748]

Think some members on this site has us beat. I recall Steve Rocket having a garage full of speakers and audio equipment. And another fellow on here "recall the photos" with a shit ton of gear sitting on shelves somewhere. My limit is set on one side of my walk in closet floor. Once it's full that's it for me.

[Hibernator69 47]

 

 

 

Thanks for recco for the smaller Xover. Saw it, but wasn't sure that's what I needed. For $80 that's a pretty easy way to go ... except for the whole XLR thing. Hmm, buy adapters, make adapters, buy Carver Pro amps. WWWOCCDD?

My C-11 has balanced outputs. If your preamp is single-ended you have a few choices:

1.  Buy (or make) appropriate RCA to XLR adapter cables to get in (1 pair) and out (2 pairs) of the XO.

While this is the simplest solution, and it works MOST of the time, it can result in a ground loop.

No way to know for sure until you try it....

 

I've got XLR to RCA for the outputs to the power amps since I was planning ahead with the Ultradrive Pro.  Will have to check if I have any RCA to XLR adapters though.  Had wanted to use digital in, but never ordered the right converter box for either toslink or coax to whatever the Behringer needed to accept digital in over the XLR input.

 

Ground loop doesn't mean anything to me yet (other than it is presumably not good).

 

I think I've seen various descriptions of converting XLR to RCA by splicing the CLR's + and - pins together.  Can't recall seeing any descriptions of the other way around.  Or maybe it's that the Behringer accepts unbalanced input and thus a simple adapter plug was sufficient.  

 

 

[Hibernator69 47]

 

 

3. Convert your preamp to balanced outs with an internally mounted PCB (about $30 worth of parts).

Here's the circuit and PCB BillD designed for my C-2 and C-11. (I have a parts list too if you are so inclined.) 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAH!   ME WANT!!!

 

It's on the ever growing list of things I hope to be able to do one day ... sooner than later comes to mind, but we'll see.

[zumbini 6,147]

Ground loop doesn't mean anything to me yet (other than it is presumably not good).

A ground loop occurs when there is more than one electrical path to ground.

It usually manifests as 60 cycle hum that is independent of system volume.

 

 

I think I've seen various descriptions of converting XLR to RCA by splicing the CLR's + and - pins together.  Can't recall seeing any descriptions of the other way around.  Or maybe it's that the Behringer accepts unbalanced input and thus a simple adapter plug was sufficient.

Yes, the Behringer will accept a balanced or unbalanced input.

I wouldn't bother building your own cables until you know it works.

Besides, Monoprice sells pro-grade RCA/XLR cables dirt cheap.

[Hibernator69 47]

Heh,

 

love Monoprice. Wish they were right outside CA though, but I digress.  Bought a bunch of their RCA interconnects recently to replace either the super cheap ones you get in the box or some 25 and 50 ft long cables I bought a long time ago when we had a long cable run in the basement in previous house.

[galaxyoilcan 88]

Think some members on this site has us beat. I recall Steve Rocket having a garage full of speakers and audio equipment. And another fellow on here "recall the photos" with a 5hi7 ton of gear sitting on shelves somewhere. My limit is set on one side of my walk in closet floor. Once it's full that's it for me.

 

I could probably quit anytime I want. However, I have an affinity for Infinity and other great old vintage speakers and the beautiful real wood veneers on them. most of the old speakers on my "wall of shame" still sound great and get a chance to prove it on a rotating basis. A few are due for new surrounds and some are projects that need attention (Maggies, Boston Acoustics).

 

 

Most of the components in the boxes are demo video decks and other home theater stuff from my years with JVC military sales. Nearly all the good ol' analog electronics are inside with me.