JL's System: No bi-amping advocates?

by jltodd on Opinions Please
P1000972

Description

This is my multi-purpose system. I use it equally for music and home theater. I have been trying to achieve a certain level of performance for many years and I am nearly there. Finally.

I am currently considering adding the Wadia 171i and an external DAC for my iPods/iPhone. It seems like a relatively inexpensive upgrade with the potential for significant sonic improvements.

I am also considering adding another Verastarr 644 amplifier. I would then bi-amp my system (passive). I do not want to add more than two amplifiers so monos are not an option. I would love comments from others that have bi-amped their systems and on the benefits, or not, that they gained. Going with an active crossover is not really an option for me

Summary of my system:

Classe SSP-800

B&W 800Ds

B&W HTM2

JL F113 Subwoofer

Verastarr SSA-644

Verastarr XLR and Speaker Cables

Audioquest Subwoofer Cable

Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v5 (rear speakers)

Playstation 3 (Movies & CD)

Directv HD DVR HR24

iPod Dock

64" Samsung Plasma

Wish List:

Wadia 171i

Berkeley Alpha or Benchmark DAC?

Oppo BDP-95

Verastarr 644 (for bi-amping)
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Classe SSP-800
    Heart of the system...
    • B&W 800D
    Best speakers I've ever heard...
    • Verastarr SSA-644
    Beautiful power house multi-channel made in USA. http://www.verastarr.com/amp-ssa644.php
    • JL Audio F113
    Adding the F113 made an enormous impact on my system. Particularly for Home Theater.
    • Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v5
    Using these as my rear surround speakers. They were my fronts before I upgraded to the B&W 800Ds.
    • Wadia 171i
    171iTransport is the industry’s first certified “Works with iPhone” dock to offer pure, bit-perfect digital output, allowing the revered smartphone to perform as a high-end media server.
    • Verastarr Silver Signature XLR
    Using Verastarr XLRs to connect Classe & Verastarr amplifier
    • Verastarr Silver Signature
    Using Silver Signatures for front speakers (800Ds and HTM2).
    • Playstation 3 PS3
    I use my iPod most of the time, but if I play CDs, I use the PS3.

Comments 7

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Owner
Couple of comments:

- I assume my SSP 800 is acting as the DAC as I was told it would be outstanding. I have an iPod that plugged into the SSP 800 via RCA cables.

- If I bi-amped, it would be using two Verastarr 644. I don't use a dedicated listening room or home theater space - my living room serves as both. And there is about 1500 sq ft of open space around the living room. So the large space coupled with the power hungry 800Ds led me to the bi-amping thing. The owner of Verastarr (who lives very near me) has loaned me another Verastarr amp so I am experimenting as I type.

- I guess it looks pretty funny that I don't have a high end blu-ray player, but I've read such good things about the PS3 and we have been quite satisfied using it as the blu-ray player, that we haven't made another investment. I have been concerned about dropping a lot of money on a high end player but only seeing a marginal improvement.

I have been working on building a high performing system for a while, and here are the most recent investments and their impact:

- Upgraded from a B&K Reference 70 to the Classe SSP 800 - I would say the improvement has been marginal at best
- Upgraded from Paradigm Reference 100 Studio/CC 690 speakers to B&W 800Ds/HTM2 - this was a HUGE improvement...the 800Ds have made an incredible difference
- Upgraded from the B&K 200.7 to the Verastarr 644 - this made a pretty big impact too

jltodd

Owner
Okay, two comments so far about improving the DAC situation. I was thinking the Wadia 171i and the Classe SSP-800 would be a killer combination. Is that what you guys are referring to? Or are you suggesting a separate DAC altogether? Admittedly, after dropping some pretty serious coin on the SSP-800, I would be disappointed if I needed a separate DAC. Appreciate the feedback.

jltodd

Owner
Thanks for the comment Vernneal. Could you elaborate as to why you think bi-amping would yield low results? I have never a bi-amped system so this is completely new territory for me. I've read and heard completely differing opinions on this matter. Is this something you have experimented with? Thanks again.

jltodd

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