Bi-wiring Mcintosh amp

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

My speaker cables are 4x4. Right now I have the amp end piggy backed with both connected to the 4 ohm tap. Am I understanding this correctly that I can separate two to the 8 ohm two and two to the 4 ohm tap? It’s safe to do?

[emoji106]

[tratliff]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

My speaker cables are 4x4. Right now I have the amp end piggy backed with both connected to the 4 ohm tap. Am I understanding this correctly that I can separate two to the 8 ohm two and two to the 4 ohm tap? It’s safe to do?

That is what I did. I disconnected the woofers from the 4 ohm tap and connected them to the 8 ohm tap. Leaving the Mids/Highs connected to the 4 ohm tap.


Noted in previous replies - As per Chuck Hinton at McIntosh "For 3Db more bass, hook the woofers to the 8ohm tap and the Mid/tweet to the 4Ohm tap."

[prepress]

I have 2 pairs of Kimber 12TC, using the 4-ohm tap for mids/highs and the 2-ohm tap for lows; my speakers are 6-ohm.

When I asked McIntosh about which taps to use I was told not to use the 8-ohm taps for the mids/highs, lest I fry my tweeters. I never heard about the 8-ohm taps for bass. It sounds like that may be worth an experiment. If it's too much I can always go back to what I have now.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by tratliff

That is what I did. I disconnected the woofers from the 4 ohm tap and connected them to the 8 ohm tap. Leaving the Mids/Highs connected to the 4 ohm tap.


Noted in previous replies - As per Chuck Hinton at McIntosh "For 3Db more bass, hook the woofers to the 8ohm tap and the Mid/tweet to the 4Ohm tap."

Originally Posted by crwilli

[emoji106]

Thanks guys! Next dumb question... the speaker connections on the back of my Canton's, is the top pair of binding posts for the mid/highs and the lower pair for the woofers? It would seem logical that it would be setup that way, but I'd like some additional confirmation.

Edit: Decided not to be totally lazy, so I checked the owner's manual. My guess was correct. Top posts to the mid/highs, bottom posts to the woofers.

Edit 2: That was a very simple and quick change over. I have to agree, the differnce is palpable. A bit more bass and as far I can tell, a bit more overall focus and coherence. To the OP and Chuck at Mc. You guys rock!

[Audiophilehi]

Very happy I made a difference for some of you!

I get so much out of this forum I’m glad I can contribute as well.

[damacman]

Yet another benefit of the autoformer design.

[prepress]

Since I have 501s and not 601s, I thought to verify with McIntosh before proceeding to test this. Ron Cornelius wrote back that you can try the 8 ohm taps but if my 501s heat up I should drop back to the 4 ohm taps.

My usual volume setting is 42 on my 2300, so I'm not blasting anything, but I'm wary of trying the 8 ohm taps now.

[tratliff]

Originally Posted by prepress

Since I have 501s and not 601s, I thought to verify with McIntosh before proceeding to test this. Ron Cornelius wrote back that you can try the 8 ohm taps but if my 501s heat up I should drop back to the 4 ohm taps.

My usual volume setting is 42 on my 2300, so I'm not blasting anything, but I'm wary of trying the 8 ohm taps now.

I'll check the temps on my 601's this weekend when I give them a good workout. I have never noticed them to be more than slightly warm. And that is pushing the C50 volume to mid-60's. Really depends on the source material being used. I tend to have a heavy hand on Friday and Saturday nights when the bourbon starts flowing.

[Audiophilehi]

My MC452 runs cool Bi-wired with the 4 and 8 Ohm taps.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

My MC452 runs cool Bi-wired with the 4 and 8 Ohm taps.

I’ll be sure to take the temperature of my MA8000 the next time I give it a good workout.