Is my power amplifier single-ended? Is it single-ended in bridged mode?

[CJ4life]

Hello all:

So I'm getting pretty close to purchasing the Polk L800s for my front L/Rs, but there's a little bit of information I need regarding my amplification first:

• The L800s require a single-ended amplifier (NOT balanced / differential) to maximize the effect of the SDA-pro technology (you lose 6dB of the SDA-effect if using a differential amp); however, I am not sure if my amplifier has that design or if it's differential / fully balanced
• The amplifier I'm running is the Denon POA-A1HDCI

Denon POA-A1HDCI

10-Channel power amplifier

www.crutchfield.com

• If it IS single-ended operating normally if I run it in bridged mode, does that change it into balanced / differential? I'd like to run the front two channels bridged if this is not a concern.

Appreciate all the help in advance!

 

[DVDdoug]

Bridge, balanced, and differential are all essentially the same thing. The signal (or "power") isn't ground referenced and the signal-current path doesn't go through ground.

 

[CJ4life]

Bridge, balanced, and differential are all essentially the same thing. The signal (or "power") isn't ground referenced and the signal-current path doesn't go through ground.

OK, so if I run it without being bridged, I should be good for my purposes? (needing a single-ended amp)

 

[voodooless]

Bridge, balanced, and differential are all essentially the same thing. The signal (or "power") isn't ground referenced and the signal-current path doesn't go through ground.

Bridge has two flavors though: one where you parallel the amps, and the other where you run the amps in inverse:

VS

Power Amplifiers in Bridge Mode - Peavey Electronics Corporation

First, some background information. The maximum positive- and negative-voltage capability of a power amp is limited by the power supply's limits, i.e., its voltage rails. The amplifier can produce so many volts positive and negative at its output. The audio signal essentially swings between the...

peavey.com

 

[CJ4life]

So, continuing the "rabbit hole" a bit:

• The "stereo-dimensional-array" on the Polk L800s is the area affected by the differential amps, which are the tweeter and the mid-bass driver
• If I bi-amped the L800s and "bridged" only the low-frequency 10" woofers, It should not affect the stereo-dimensional array drivers, correct?
• I would want to do this mainly to make sure the really power-hungry woofers would have all the power they could want

Thanks again!

 

[Zapper]

So, continuing the "rabbit hole" a bit:

• The "stereo-dimensional-array" on the Polk L800s is the area affected by the differential amps, which are the tweeter and the mid-bass driver
• If I bi-amped the L800s and "bridged" only the low-frequency 10" woofers, It should not affect the stereo-dimensional array drivers, correct?
• I would want to do this mainly to make sure the really power-hungry woofers would have all the power they could want

Thanks again!

That is correct.

 

[CJ4life]

That is correct.

Excellent, thank you!

Would there be any gain/volume issues with one part of the speaker being bridged and another not?

 

[Zapper]

Excellent, thank you!

Would there be any gain/volume issues with one part of the speaker being bridged and another not?

Yes. The bridge will have 2x voltage, 4x power (+6dB).

Unless your amp adjusts for the gain difference.