tomp wrote:
Going the multi amp route and eliminating the passive crossovers will give you huge flexibility in voicing the final system.
Tom
Yes, my goal is not just voicing the system. Voicing typically implies working within the constraints of the existing audio gear and sqeezing the best sound out of them by tweaking the parts like caps, tubes, cables etc. etc. Voicing can and will make the system sound better but no where it should be. In the last few weeks, I learned a lot about my system, thanks to J-ROB and Roscoe who loaned me their gear and time.
I used to think Altec 500Hz Compression driver 802-D coupled with Altec 500Hz 511-B horn crossed over at 500Hz sounds good. When I connected the DriveRack PA2 active crossover (no, I don't like it but excellent tool for prototyping crossovers) and changed the crossover point to 600Hz, there was an immediate improvement in the mid-range. It got smoother. Same result with Emilar 500Hz horn. The lesson I learnt is, 500Hz compression driver does not do a good job at 500Hz. Googling, found several recommendations that CDs should be crossed over at atleast half an Octave over their min rated freq. Then came the Tractrix horn and it was a game changer IMO. Head and shoulders above exponential 511B. That is the genesis of the project I am currently considering.
If I am successful, I intend to stay with passive crossovers/filters but at the line level.