Multi-amplification with Ak 2200 balanced

[Sjahjah]

Hello,

I have 242 speakers that I have been using with several 2250s in balanced mode. Recently I switched to one ak2200 and one ak4200 - both the balanced version. However I realized that not all inputs in these Amps have an output - so daisy chaining these guys can't be done the same way I could with the old 2250s.

What is the solution ? Since ultimately you can go Aktiv with the balanced models there must be a way to have the ak2000s connected to each other.

Thanks

Samir

[rowlandhills]

With balanced Akurate (or older Chakra branded) amps, you have to use the internal links between channels. These only exist between pairs of channels, so 1/2 on a 2200 and 1/2 and 3/4 on a 4200.

RCA amps can use external or internal links, but I think Linn decided that there wasn't enough space for two XLRs on each channel, so forced use of the internals.

Example:

Left signal to Akurate 2200 channel 1 "Input XLR", then internal connector to channel 2, then "Output XLR" to Akurate 4200 channel 1 "Input XLR", then internal connector to channel 2, then "Output XLR" to Akurate 4200 channel 3.

The above configuration is what you'd need if using all five channels of a 242 through one 2200 and one 4200. Obviously it would be different if you have a couple of 2250s in the mix too.

Does that make sense?

[Sjahjah]

Thank you. Not sure I understand. How do I use the internal connection? Does that mean then that say the 2200 would only be used for left speaker?

[Sjahjah]

I have one 2250 in the mix.

Are you saying I have to open the box and have a switch or something adjusted?

[ThomasOK]

There are short wires with small multipin connectors that are used to link the channels internally. The amp must be opened to install them. Linn recommend this is done by a Linn dealer but it is not difficult. The number needed for the amp are included in the box with all new Linn Akurate and Majik amps. If they did not come with your amps I would check with the person you bought them from or order some from a Linn dealer.

[rowlandhills]

As ThomasOK has said, you do indeed need to open the case to install the internal links, but it is a very quick thing to do, and there's no soldering or anything, just undo four screws, slide the top case off, plug in a short cable, put the lid back on and do the screws up.

Are your 242s currently passive? I'm assuming so if you have only one 2250, one 2200 and one 4200. In that scenario, I'd probably leave the 2250 out entirely and simply triamp with the newer amps, as they do have a slightly different sound.

If passive triamping, you should make the following connections:

Left signal:

• Out on preamp to 4200 channel 1 input
• 4200 channel 1 to channel 2 internal link
• 4200 channel 2 output to 2200 channel 1 input
• Speaker cables to 2200 channel 1, 4200 channels 1 & 2

Right signal:

• Out on preamp to 4200 channel 3 input
• 4200 channel 3 to channel 4 internal link
• 4200 channel 4 output to 2200 channel 2 input
• Speaker cables to 2200 channel 2, 4200 channels 3 & 4

The above configuration uses half of each amp to drive each speaker.

In the long term, I'd recommend getting another 4200 and then adding that in, to give you five channels for each speaker and allowing fully aktiv mode on the 242s

[lejonklou]

I recommend you stay away from passive multi-amping, as it only sounds worse.

Either single amp and single wire your speakers or run them fully aktiv with one amp channel and speaker wire per drive unit.

The idea of adding one amp at a time is just a clever way of selling a lot of amplifiers. And the final step of going aktiv will become more convincing, because the passive multi-amped step that precedes it is musically confused and boring.