AVR350 vs P25/P35 power amp

[yant]

Hi,

I currently have a AVR200 with my front pair being driven by a P25. (PMC GB1). At the moment the front pair are driven only by the P25. The difference in quality when I added the P25 was not huge but was there. My reasoning for not bi-amping is that the power section of the AVR200 is significantly worse than the P25 so I would be bi-amping with a pair of amplifiers that are too different, I am better of with less power from the P25 on its own rather than diluting the quality by bi-amping with the AVR200. I am very tempted by the £600 AVR350 that are going around at the moment.

My question is how would you compare the power amp section of an AVR350 vs a P25. I only have a 5.1 setup, not looking to move to 7.1. My understanding is that the power amp section of the AVR350 is significantly better than the AVR200. If I buy an AVR350, I could:

1- Drive the front pair only with the P25 (as I currently do)
2- Bi-amp the front pair with the AVR350 for highs and P25 for lows
3- Bi-amp using 4 of the AVR350 channels (selling the P25)
4- Not bother biamping, just drive the front with the AVR350 (selling the P25).

Does anyone have experience in comparing this type of configuration? What would you recommend?

Thanks

Yannick

[Badger0-0]

My reasoning for not bi-amping is that the power section of the AVR200 is significantly worse than the P25 so I would be bi-amping with a pair of amplifiers that are too different, I am better of with less power from the P25 on its own rather than diluting the quality by bi-amping with the AVR200.

I can't comment on your situation specifically, but can't help feeling that it is at least worth trying. I'm thinking you let the 200 feed the tweeter and leave the P25 to concentrate on the more power hungry bass driver.
I know they're two different amps, but you'd still be giving the speakers more power overall, I'd have thought.

Pretty easy to try and it might save you some money?

[Gordab]

5. Biamp the front using channels 1,2 & 5,6. Drive rears using channels 3,4


I can't comment on the P25, but I run my fronts biamped with the AVR350 and it's very good. Rears also driven by the AVR350 for a 5.1 setup with only the AVR350 as amplification.

[blue max 2]

I tried various ways with my AVR350 and P85/3 (basically the same guts) and drew the following conclusions:

AVR350 single runs. Good.
AVR350 bi-amped. Couldn't really tell much difference.
AVR350 with bass units powered by the P85. Significant difference (better!).

All I can think is that using the AVR350 to do bass duties in bi-amp mode is sharing the current. As the bass needs that current, it just robs Peter to pay Paul, so to speak.

That's my experience and my system is in a state of flux as I am running on a part system until building work is complete (so the listening room is a bit cramped). I took the power amp out of the system and lived with it for a while in bi-amp mode. Then on a whim, I put the power amp back in and could instantly tell the difference.

I would say the difference was as great as moving up to my current Bryston power amp (which is a multitude of times the price).

Graham

[yant]

Originally Posted by Gordab

5. Biamp the front using channels 1,2 & 5,6. Drive rears using channels 3,4

I think that's what I meant by:
3- Bi-amp using 4 of the AVR350 channels (selling the P25)

So you feel biamping that way is better than just a single run?

[yant]

Originally Posted by blue max 2

I tried various ways with my AVR350 and P85/3 (basically the same guts) and drew the following conclusions:

AVR350 single runs. Good.
AVR350 bi-amped. Couldn't really tell much difference.
AVR350 with bass units powered by the P85. Significant difference (better!).

All I can think is that using the AVR350 to do bass duties in bi-amp mode is sharing the current. As the bass needs that current, it just robs Peter to pay Paul, so to speak.

That's my experience and my system is in a state of flux as I am running on a part system until building work is complete (so the listening room is a bit cramped). I took the power amp out of the system and lived with it for a while in bi-amp mode. Then on a whim, I put the power amp back in and could instantly tell the difference.

I would say the difference was as great as moving up to my current Bryston power amp (which is a multitude of times the price).

Graham

Thanks.

Did you ever try P85 single run?

[yant]

Originally Posted by Badger0-0

I can't comment on your situation specifically, but can't help feeling that it is at least worth trying. I'm thinking you let the 200 feed the tweeter and leave the P25 to concentrate on the more power hungry bass driver.
I know they're two different amps, but you'd still be giving the speakers more power overall, I'd have thought.

Pretty easy to try and it might save you some money?

Yes, I must try to too.

To be honest, purely on stereo sound, I am still fairly satisfied and I am not expecting a huge improvement. The AVR200 is a decent stereo pre-amp. I am thinkink of the AVR350 more for improvement on the HC side of things. More flexibility, better processing, etc and because it's such a bargain at the moment.

For clear stereo improvement, I think I would need to upgrade my speakers and that would cost at least £1500 to be worth it (I'd be looking at OB1, Contours, W&B, Totems) The advantage of bi-amping with 4 of the AVR350 channels is that I could then sell the P25 (hopefully at least £200 and maybe another £100 for the AVR200) which could mean that I can upgrade to an AVR350 for about £200. But then again, since I have the P25, maybe I should just keep it and use it. I wouldn't want to run out of toys

[Badger0-0]

Originally Posted by yant

Yes, I must try to too.

To be honest, purely on stereo sound, I am still fairly satisfied and I am not expecting a huge improvement. The AVR200 is a decent stereo pre-amp. I am thinkink of the AVR350 more for improvement on the HC side of things. More flexibility, better processing, etc and because it's such a bargain at the moment.

For clear stereo improvement, I think I would need to upgrade my speakers and that would cost at least £1500 to be worth it (I'd be looking at OB1, Contours, W&B, Totems) The advantage of bi-amping with 4 of the AVR350 channels is that I could then sell the P25 (hopefully at least £200 and maybe another £100 for the AVR200) which could mean that I can upgrade to an AVR350 for about £200. But then again, since I have the P25, maybe I should just keep it and use it. I wouldn't want to run out of toys

Ah, fair enough

Got to agree about the 350 being a bargain, I was so close to buying one myself.

[blue max 2]

Originally Posted by yant

Thanks.

Did you ever try P85 single run?

No as my speakers are three way (pmc cb6). I have no doubt about the AVR350's ability to drive the tweeters.

Graham