Bi-amping Renaissance 90 speakers

[Maria83]

Hi everybody, newbie on the forum here!

I was gifted a pair of Renaissance 90s from a friend who switched to a new set. I have a couple of power amps at home and I was wondering if I can use to drive the speakers in horizontal bi-amp mode.

The first amp is Mark Levinson ML-9 which according to spec has 200W @ 4 ohms.
The second is OCM 200 which is also also 200W @ 4 ohms.

I plan to use the ML-9 for the bass and and the OCM 200 for the tweeters.

Does that make sense to you?

--Maria

 

[Grenadeslio]

Hi everybody, newbie on the forum here!

I was gifted a pair of Renaissance 90s from a friend who switched to a new set. I have a couple of power amps at home and I was wondering if I can use to drive the speakers in horizontal bi-amp mode.

The first amp is Mark Levinson ML-9 which according to spec has 200W @ 4 ohms.
The second is OCM 200 which is also also 200W @ 4 ohms.

I plan to use the ML-9 for the bass and and the OCM 200 for the tweeters.

Does that make sense to you?

--Maria

does either amp have gain controls? If not what's your plan to balance the outputs?

I realize both are "rated" the same output, but is that at the same input?

you can always try it anyway, I would use the sweeter sounding of the amps for the high end, the amp with the highest damping factor for the woofers.

 

[Maria83]

Unfortunately they don't have gain controls. I'd use a single amp but am worried if it could provide enough power to the speakers - I've been reading online that they require a lot of power. Do you think the ML-9 could do it?

 

[StimpyWan]

Renaissance 90s aren't current hogs, like the Kappa 9s. And given the quality of your amps, I think you'd be fine with using a single amp. Still, no harm in trying which is best, since you already have them. Plus, I wish I had a friend that would gift me Ren 90s. Too sweet...!

 

[Maria83]

Haha yes, he's so spoiled LOL

 

[bowtie427ss]

The OCM is supposed to be some of David Belles' better stuff.

But, the ML-9 is a landmark amplifier, and i'd probably lean toward it based on it's circuit density and much shorter overall signal paths.

There's no loser in that race.

 

[Maria83]

Thanks everyone!! I will hook it up to the ML-9 then and test drive it for a while before considering bi-amping.

Btw what do you recommend for speaker cables?

My current thinking is to get 12 AWG copper speaker wire from amazon and solder spade lugs on each end.
I just found out that the speakers are missing the shorting straps that should connect the midrange and bass inputs when using only one amp. Should I use a small piece of wire to connect them instead? Or may be consider bi-wiring?

 

[whoaru99]

Unfortunately they don't have gain controls. I'd use a single amp but am worried if it could provide enough power to the speakers - I've been reading online that they require a lot of power. Do you think the ML-9 could do it?

Biamping like that doesn't really give more power anyway so there is effectively no loss in power to use just the ML-9.

 

[RVT1K]

Thanks everyone!! I will hook it up to the ML-9 then and test drive it for a while before considering bi-amping.

Btw what do you recommend for speaker cables?

My current thinking is to get 12 AWG copper speaker wire from amazon and solder spade lugs on each end.
I just found out that the speakers are missing the shorting straps that should connect the midrange and bass inputs when using only one amp. Should I use a small piece of wire to connect them instead? Or may be consider bi-wiring?

I just got the KnuKoncepts Kord 12ga from there. I haven't done a proper A/B with my old cables yet but it looks nice and is easy to work with.
Personally, I would just make jumpers to replace the missing straps. But, if you have the extra money, maybe give the bi-wiring a try.