Hey all, I have two questions about the 7700 amp. I think I know the answers but I want to hear from the actual users!

I have the 990 pre/pro, so I will be using the balanced inputs. I also bi-amp my speakers. So, if when using balanced inputs, can the inputs be bridged together? For instance I need channel 1 & 2 for my center channel (1 channel for mids, 1 channel for tweets) and obviously there is only one output cable. I'd like to do this without using some sort of Y adapter. I would also need to do this for the 2 rear speakers. So I need 6 channels of amplification but only 3 input cables.

Also, can the level of each channel be adjusted? I need level adjustment for my tweeter channels.

Thanks!

You cannot bridge the channels of the 7700. To bi-amp with two channels of the 7700, you would have to split the output to feed the same signal to two channels. The levels of each channel are also not adjustable.

Well darn. I was hoping to get an Outlaw amp but none of them have level controls...that's odd. Level controls are my #1 requirement, I can get around the other stuff..but not having a level control makes bi-amping rather useless to me.

Level control is unnecessary in most cases - the processor adjusts the channels. The only case that it comes into play is passive bi-amping (active bi-amping offers an opportunity for level control at the crossover network).

What speakers are you using that you are pushing 400W through each of them? They've got to be something pretty significant.

You should put active crossovers between the processor and amp. Then you could split out the channel signals so you can have 2 amp channels per audio channel. This will give better control and power.

My speakers are Paradigm Reference Studio's. I have Active 40's for the front so those hook straight to the preamp. The amp would be only for the center and surrounds, plus zone 2. The 7700 is overkill, I know. The 7125 is more what I need but it does not have balanced inputs. That may be a moot point anyway so I still may think about the 7125 if I can't use balanced cables.

An active crossover might be an option, I'll look in to them.

Active crossover gets into a serious design issue: replicating the crossover design that the speaker manufacturer worked out. Can you do a better job with your active crossover than the designer did with the internal crossover? And do you want to rip into the cabinet to bypass the original one to get full benefit from the process?

If you have a Studio CC and Studio ADP's, I don't think that bi-amping with two 200W channels is going to perform much (if any) differently than a single 200W channel (either bi-wired or with a good jumper). I can't imagine my Paradigm's benefiting from any additional power, and my Studio/CC and Studio/ADP's are driven by 165W each. You could get a 7500 and drive all three speakers with two channels left over for zone 2 (or a future upgrade to 7.1).

I agree with you on the crossover issue, and I'll add something to those concerns...I don't want to add a crappy looking crossover to my rack.

And the thing is...I looked at some crossovers for less than $100 and my concern is that they will sound like junk and add noise. If I have to spend $500 to get a crossover I would rather just put that money towards a better amp that does exactly what I want.

As far as bi-amping the Studio's, they benefit quite a lot from bi-amping..not so much for sound quality, but for tweakability. I have them bi-amped now with a Rotel amp. I have the tweeter channel turned down to about half what the woofer channel is running. The tweeter in the Studio CC was just a bit too much for me and having it on it's own channel is the best (and really the only) way to dial it in. I guess I've been spoiled by having Active 40's in the front

The only problem with my Rotel amp is that once I bridge it to get enough channels there's not enough power going to the rears. So rather than add a 2 channel either for the rears or for the center I want one single amp to cover it all. If only the Outlaw amps had level controls. Oh well.

Hey Gonk, here's my theater room so you can see my equipment:

http://www.chuckamuck.com/hometheater

Nice setup, Darth. I'd suggest giving the 7500 a try - your room is reasonably sized (actually smaller than the room that my system is in), and I really don't think the Studio CC or Studio LCR's need more than 200W to reach their full potential.

..if only it had level adjustments. That would make it the perfect 5 channel amp. Those Paradigm Studio's really benefit from bi-amping where you can control the tweeter level. My Active 40's have a 125 watt amp for the woofers and a 50 watt amp for the tweeter, plus the level control. I need that control for the center (and maybe the surrounds, but only if I have the amp channels left over) to make them blend nicely. It makes a big difference.

I've actually got a Carver 5 channel amp sitting in my closet that has 110 watts for 3 channels and 50 watts for the other two..I might try that to see how it sounds. It's not adjustable either though. You're stuck with what you got.

Well, here's an update.

I got my Carver amp out and put it in place of the Rotel. The Carver is much warmer and now there is no need for a seperate tweeter adjustment. With the Carver there is just no need to cut the tweeter down. I don't know..for some reason the Rotel is very harsh with the 990.

So now the Rotel will be used for Zone 2 and some Aura Bass Shakers and the Carver is going to drive my center and surrounds. As funds come available, a 7500 will be on my list. I want those balanced inputs, and if it's as warm (hopefully even warmer) than my trusty old Carver it will be a keeper

Having used similar Studio speakers, I find your experience with the Carver more in line with my own experience.

Hmm..wonder how the Carver Sunfire Cinema Grand would fare against the 7500? Both 5x200, both with balanced inputs....that would be an interesting comparison.

I personally thought the 7500/7700 had a more bass/midrange sound and not so much in the treble. So it is a warmer sound to me. That might be fine for your speakers.

As for the var. inputs:
It should be easy to add some GOOD QUALITY little pots to the rear panel, like ALPS or BOURNS.
Adding 1-10 fascias will look very sexy!
But if you're uncomfortable doing this forget it as it may jeopardize the warranty!

I can confirm the crossover problem.
I have 2 expensive KEF Reference speakers and bridged the (very complicated) low channel crossover filter, placing an active Behringer crossover before my final amp.
Sound was awful, very peaky and wobbly.
Asked KEF, they said the passive xovers should not be disabled, since they were measured in together with the rest of the speaker.
So I just enabled the Xovers again and removed the active ones.
Sound is quite lovely, MUCH better than before biamping- very exact stage placement, deeper bass and very clean mids.

Hey barend:

You wrote I have 2 expensive KEF Reference speakers

What models? 107's?? I'm using 107's with surronds redone in one of two systems at home. Recommended by a 107 user. Great old speakers. Best/closest to quality of my Crown ES224s.

No, I have the Reference 203*2, 202c and 201*2.
Obviously KEF tweaked the sound with the very large xovers in place, so removing these was not a good idea, giving a very uneven sound.
Also what I wrote on the little pots for the 7700, if you use biamping it will be quite handy to even out the biamped channels for gain.
That said, if you do xlr it will be a bit more complicated wiring the pots (but have a look at Rod Elliot's site for some info http://www.sound.westhost.com)
When I started passive biamping (speakers xovers in place) I was amazed at the sound improvement.
I even tried triamping but that sounded not right (fuzzy) dunno why, maybe phase problems?

Use balanced cable for the 990/1770 combination by all means, I had a pre > Rotel RMB1095 5*200W
and it sure had hum problems that never really went away...
One more o/t remark: I just ordered a very special sub from Germany, it emits very dry bass down to 20Hz in a bipolar fashion (the chassis are placed opposite to each other!).
According to the test reports this should cause less oppresive room modes.
Barend