Need audio guru help
default -- Sun, 12/20/2009 - 17:32
My preamp only has one set of pre outs and my amplifier only has 2 channels. I would like to add a subwoofer which has high level and low level (rca) inputs. What are my options? What works best? Thanks
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1999 - 2011 NextScreen. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
The sub is obviously self powered btw.
Speaker wires through the sub sounds like the answer.
You have tthree options.
1. high level (speaker level) outputs from your amp to the high level inputs of the sub (The sub and your speakers will be getting full-frequency signal with no roll-off so the sub's crossover will be used for the sub but not for the front speakers which will recieve full-frequncy signals.
2. Get splitters for your line level output from the pre and run one pair to your amp and the other pair to the sub's low level inputs. Again bot the sub and front speaker amp will get full-frequncy signals.
3. Run line level to sub line level and then from the line level out of the sub to the amps. Here you will get low frequency roll-off from the sub's crossover limiting the low frequency extension of your speakers. Also your amplifier will not have to handle full frequency signals so it should gain some headroom.
Which is best? Depends on a number of factors and in the end only comparisons in your set-up will determine which is sonically superior.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Thanks to SS. It looks like my only option is to get splitters for the L & R pre outs from the preamp, and have one go to the amp to power speakers (amp only has L & R channels out), and have the other go to low level input on powered sub (sub doesen't have any outputs).
I would go for SS's third option. The splitter option would probably be the easiest but you may find it would degrade the sound.
The splitter shouldn't, in most systems, degrade the sound.
Only if you have a L-O-N-G run from preamp to main amp and you have a preamp/power amp impedance mismatch will you have a sonic issue with a splitter.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications