Enough Power? - Bi-Amping RTi12's With A Pioneer Elite 56TXi Receiver

[team_canada]

I am wondering if there would be enough juice from my Pioneer Elite 56TXi Receiver to properly power these suckers if I bi-amped them??

Any thoughts?

[John K.]

TC, your 56TXi has more than enough "juice" to power RTi12s unless your listening room is huge and you play at extremely high levels. If it doesn't, passively bi-amping can't add any more; there's only one power supply section in the 56TXi and sending power to a speaker through two rather than one amp channel can't increase the power supply capacity. If you have the idea that the bi-amping would somehow double the power available, that's incorrect; each section of the speaker would still have just 110 watts(nominally)available to it, not 220, since one amp channel has no way to "borrow" power from another one. Although the back surround channel amps of the 56TXi(if otherwise not being used)can be connected in a bi-amp configuration with the regular front channel amps, there's no significant benefit in doing so. Don't imagine that your power is inadequate, since it'll likely be just fine.

[cfrizz]

If you feel you need more power, you would be better of getting a separate amp.

[team_canada]

Thanks guys. I do understand that bi-amping will not provide additional power but thought it may help the 12's perform better, more drivers to power. I am looking at purchasing the Elite M-10X or A-35R to power my rears. I don't need anything big for a separate amp and I want to try and stay in the elite line. I have a medium size room.

The 12's here in Canada are cheaper than the 8's by about $100, I am not quite sure why.

If given the choice, would you guys choose the 8's or the 12's. I am quite certain I know the answer but would like to know why you would choose one over the other??

[jdhdiggs]

The only advantage you'd have bi-amping off the same cassis is that the bass section (The power hog) wouldn't need to power the tweeter. You might gain a tenth of a watt or so. Essentially, it's not really worth the hassle IMHO

[reeltrouble1]

There are some benefits to Bi-amping, just what you wanted to do is not really bi-amping. Its really not something to get all hung up on. If you want to do it you are going to need another amp. You would have to see if the Pioneer still sends power to the amp section when using the preouts to the other amp you need, I believe most receivers do. You send the signal from one amp to the top speaker posts the other to the bottom. Thats why you dont get "double" the power. Some folks use combinations of tube amps and ss, it gets all involved, if you are using different amp brands, you have different slew rates, dynamic power, on and on, so that is why its and individual thing. I would just get an amp you really like and be done with it.

Some folks like it, some don't. Gee sounds like most things in audio.

RT1

[team_canada]

Thanks RT1, do you think my Elite 56TXi can power the 12's on its own or would a amp be a good invesnent?

[Sami]

The problem with bi-amping two different kind of amps is how do you set the correct gain? You don't want to power the highs with 1dB (f.e.) higher than your lows. It can be solved but this might be too much for even some of the more advanced audiophiles. Then there is the two different kinds of sounds, as two different kind of amps will not sound the same, are you willing to go with different sound for highs and lows?

[team_canada]

Will the elite M-10X or A-35R amps not sound the same as the Elite 56TXi??

[reeltrouble1]

Well, amps from the same manufacturer will sound much more similiar. I would just use the receiver for a while, live with it, get to know what it can and cant do. It can run the 12's, trust your ears they will tell you if you need more. Now if you just have some extra dough thats burning your pocket, then sure but an amp to run your fronts for music, dont worry about matching amp brands. Our usual list is:

Parasound
B&K
NAD
Outlaw
ATI
Carver
Anthem
Rotel
Conrad Johnson

And thats just a few, sorry if I missed your favorite. You want a high current amp, forget the watts rating, you need current, electrons moving down the wire.

RT1