budget ML setup question

[beefchowmein]

Hi
I just join the board after picking up my first ML, Aerius i.
I have a question maybe some of you guys can give me an input on.

I currently have a Jolida 302b. It powers the Aerius i just fine, but it's a little weak. Does it make sense to pick up a solid state amp (ie. Vintage McIntosh 2105) to drive the sub and use the 302b to drive the panels. Of course I will also need a Pre-amp.
Does it matter if the 2105 is 105 watt and the 302b is 50watt?

Any other recommendations?

 

[eknuds01]

You are refering to bi-amping.

Yes, you can do this. It sounds like you want to passively bi-amp (use the speaker cross overs) as opposed to externally bi-amping which entails disabling the speaker cross over and using an external unit.

A few members like to put tubes on the panels and a SS amp on the woofer. The other issue to contend with is the gain with the new amps. You might need something that allows you to adjust that when you hook up the new equipment. Maybe the new pre-amp allows such an adjustment, I don't know.

Erik