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bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

Last post Aug 25, 2008, 6:21 PM by murgord. (31 replies)
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Posted on Aug 21, 2008, 5:47 PM

bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

Hi Guys I am currently running a cambridge 640a v2 through kef iq7 speakers and am pleased with the set up ...but I am running it in a fairly large room 10 ft by 30ft ,trouble is i am looking for a bit more volume, was wondering what you guys thought the best solution is


1  either upgrade to the 840a (expensive ...but gives me an extra 45watts) and the option to bi-amp with my existing 640a


 2 or bi-amp with another 640a or even a 540a


any idea how much more volume both of these would give me ...as I do not know how much the tweeters would use up on a bi-amp set up with these speakers?


thanks in advance for the replies


Murray


 

Posted on Aug 21, 2008, 6:58 PM

119227

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

The 840 will give you a bit more volume, but not a huge amount more.

Biamping won't.

Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision / whathifi.com
Audio Editor, Gramophone

Posted on Aug 21, 2008, 7:36 PM

119263

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

I thought bi-amping would give me slightly more volume as one of the amps would be for the tweeters and the other would be for the bass????

Posted on Aug 21, 2008, 10:36 PM

119290

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

No, as the speaker is still 'seeing' the same amplifier power.
Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision / whathifi.com
Audio Editor, Gramophone

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 1:53 PM

119263

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

Andrew Everard:

The 840 will give you a bit more volume, but not a huge amount more.


Biamping won't.



What's the limiting factor then, the drivability of the speakers?   An additional 45 wpc is about 60% more than the current 640A is giving..... I understand that amp power and volume are not liniarly related, but I would have thought the additinoal 45 wpc would give a fairly decnet volume increase....


Cheers


 

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 3:49 PM

119575

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

Basically, a 3dB increase in absolute level requires getting on for twice the amp power, so just a small amp step-up isn't going to do too much for the system.

The alternative would be to look for some speakers with greater sensitivity, or capable of higher peak SPLs - or a much more powerful amp.

You could always try these... Devil

Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision / whathifi.com
Audio Editor, Gramophone

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 4:29 PM

119611

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

Andrew Everard:

Basically, a 3dB increase in absolute level requires getting on for twice the amp power, so just a small amp step-up isn't going to do too much for the system.


The alternative would be to look for some speakers with greater sensitivity, or capable of higher peak SPLs - or a much more powerful amp.


You could always try these... Devil



I see - thanks.


Re superchargers.... awesome.  How come these are not more popular?  What is the compromise?  What are the challenges involved in making such a device to demand such a high price?   There must be some or surely somebody would be manufacturing more affordable models....


 

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 4:32 PM

119628

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

jbadman:
Andrew Everard:

Basically, a 3dB increase in absolute level requires getting on for twice the amp power, so just a small amp step-up isn't going to do too much for the system.

The alternative would be to look for some speakers with greater sensitivity, or capable of higher peak SPLs - or a much more powerful amp.

You could always try these... Devil

I see - thanks.

Re superchargers.... awesome.  How come these are not more popular?  What is the compromise?  What are the challenges involved in making such a device to demand such a high price?   There must be some or surely somebody would be manufacturing more affordable models....

 

 

Agreed, that looks amazing, surely that price can be brought down with some competition, why haven't other manufacturers been interested? 

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 4:40 PM

119227

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

Why don't you just replace your amp to something with a bit more grunt?
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Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 4:43 PM

119636

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

330 Musical Fidelity watts for £1500? Just need some competition but already sounds like a bargain.

Edit: Ah just noticed that's per channel, £3000 out of my league  

Edit 2: Just been reading this months WHF, £1300 per pair! What's with the conflicting reports?

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 4:51 PM

119636

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

EvilWolf:
Why don't you just replace your amp to something with a bit more grunt?


Clearly that would be the standard approach, but that doesn't answer my question about superchargers!

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 4:59 PM

119646

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

jbadman:

EvilWolf:
Why don't you just replace your amp to something with a bit more grunt?


Clearly that would be the standard approach, but that doesn't answer my question about superchargers!



Sorry, that came out sounding lairy....,apologies!

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 7:03 PM

119656

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

Would connecting a power amp to the 640a be an option ...thus using the 640a as a pre-amp....please excuse my ignorance on these subjects as it all new to me.... but I do enjoy learning about these things!....was maybe looking at a second hand quad 909 power amp...would that be suitable to hook up to my 640a...or any other suggestions welcome!


thanks


murray

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 9:45 PM

119713

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

could i use the 640a as a pre-amp with the quad 909 ???


murray

Posted on Aug 22, 2008, 10:05 PM

119758

Re: bi-amping cambridge 640a v2 (need more volume)

You certainly could, and I might even go as far as saying that it would be a good match for the KEF's and your Cambridge. They are more scientific to Quad's warmness. But don't quote me on that.

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