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View Full Version : Why no sub-out on 2ch. preamp?



begbie
07-27-2003, 01:01 AM
I noticed this on some Rotel models and a few other brands that they don't have a sub-out. Shouldn't they ?

Zero
07-27-2003, 01:07 AM
If the pre-amplifier has two pre-outs, just use one of the pre-outs...

begbie
07-27-2003, 01:16 AM
Makes sense. Though I thought I read the pre-outs were for an external processor? Or am I getting myself all mixed up here ? :confused:

dcarlson
07-27-2003, 01:27 AM
If it's just a 2ch preamp, it should only do 2 channel.

It's not made to process a signal. It's your choice wether you want to run a sub or not.

dragon1952
07-27-2003, 01:37 AM
You would have to run interconnects from the preamps pre-outs to the sub line-in and then interconnects from the sub line-out to the external amp in order to incorporate a sub into a 2 channel system. You could also connect the external amp to the preamp and then run speaker wires from the external amp to the sub speaker line-in and then from the sub speaker line-outs to the speakers.

begbie
07-27-2003, 01:37 AM
thanks, I think I'm getting it?! But if a manual says it can be used to pass the signal to another source than is it okay to send that signal to your sub ? :confused:

Probably shouldn't sweat about it but just curious though.

organ
07-27-2003, 04:05 AM
Use a Y-adaptor. It has one male and two females. You'll be able to run two sets of interconnect from the single output. I suggest getting high quality Y-adaptor. Check monstercable.com, they have a very nice one.

Maurice

dragon1952
07-28-2003, 02:05 AM
There are some pre-amps with sub outs....I've read about them in my internet travels here and there. In fact there was an H/K PT2300 that sold on ebay tonite for $105 that had them. Some newer ones do also, just can't think right now.

Zero
07-28-2003, 09:25 AM
Gentlemen,

Am I missing something here?

I am on the verge of purchasing a pre-amp with two pre-outs.

One of the pre-outs will go towards the main amp, the other, towards the sub.

Have I been living under a rock? I've always thought this was possible.

Not attempting to hi-jack a thread here...but it has peaked my curiousity at a very critical purchasing time..


Sean

dragon1952
07-28-2003, 02:32 PM
ATC......you are right on. You can certainly do that if you have two line outs.

George Grand
07-28-2003, 04:58 PM
And unless you have an outboard cross-over unit, your going to be feeding a full-range signal to BOTH the sub-woofer AND your main speakers. Not a great idea.

One of the reasons for employing a sub-woofer, is not to get super deep bass, but to relieve your main speakers the trouble of reproducing low frequencies that they probably can't reproduce anyway. There's all kind of benefits to that.

You might have to use speaker level connections to your sub from your power amp, and then feed your main speakers a speaker level signal from the sub. There's no reason it wont work, and is an intelligent way to do it. Running the sub AND mains at full range is not.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grand's)

Zero
07-28-2003, 05:07 PM
Dragon,

Thank you for the reaffirmation, felt I was loosing my mind for a second.

George,

You bring up a valid issue which has plauged my mind since I began this project of mine. I only hesitate on purchasing more wire due to the fact that I am not certain the Ixos is what I will stick with. One of the goals is not to throw away cash, and until I find the wire that suits me, I will just weigh the options until funds allow for expansion.

Regards,

Sean

Dr. Spec
07-28-2003, 05:31 PM
Originally posted by George Grand
You might have to use speaker level connections to your sub from your power amp, and then feed your main speakers a speaker level signal from the sub. There's no reason it wont work, and is an intelligent way to do it. Running the sub AND mains at full range is not.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grand's)

Agreed - it's the only way to do it when there is no sub out and you need to high pass the speaks.

Unfortunately, it will require the amp to send a full power signal to the subwoofer. You won't reap the benefits of internal filtering before the amp stage like you would with digital BM in a pre/pro or AVR. Amps always run cooler, distort less, and have more dynamic range/headroom when relieved of the high-current bass duties.

Doc

Zero
07-28-2003, 05:36 PM
At 250w *clean* bridged, I hope not to loose *too* much..

I have heard some amps perform better with bridging, while others falter..

tryrrthg
07-28-2003, 05:43 PM
Originally posted by George Grand
And unless you have an outboard cross-over unit, your going to be feeding a full-range signal to BOTH the sub-woofer AND your main speakers. Not a great idea.

One of the reasons for employing a sub-woofer, is not to get super deep bass, but to relieve your main speakers the trouble of reproducing low frequencies that they probably can't reproduce anyway. There's all kind of benefits to that.

You might have to use speaker level connections to your sub from your power amp, and then feed your main speakers a speaker level signal from the sub. There's no reason it wont work, and is an intelligent way to do it. Running the sub AND mains at full range is not.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grand's)
not completely true... REL uses a full range signal to BOTH mains and sub. They claim that you will get a more seamless transition from mains to sub by allowing your mains to gradually roll-off and have the REL come up from underneath the mains. REL has the lowest crossovers that I know of. Allowing the crossovers in the low 20's.

I think that without a sub crossover like REL running mains that can go into the upper 20's (or even 30's, since most sub crossovers stop at 35 or 40hz) full range will cause some problems. but running standmount speakers full range and bringing the sub up from under the standmounts can offer a terrific transition from speakers to sub.

tryrrthg
07-28-2003, 05:45 PM
EDIT: damn double post...

Dr. Spec
07-28-2003, 05:46 PM
If you bridge the amp (if it has that capability), you will reduce it to a single channel output. Not sure what you are getting at here??

Doc

pjdami
07-28-2003, 05:48 PM
B&K PT5 two channel pre-amp can do it.

It has a high pass output at 80 hz, low pass at 80 hz LFE for sub though it is fixed, mono output L + R for full range to the sub (use sub crossover) and a set of full range outputs for the mains as well.

It's the main reason I went with a B&K preamp; that and B&K's excellent sound and reputation for making good mid-fi gear.

Paul

RuSsMaN
07-28-2003, 05:54 PM
Originally posted by Dr. Spec
If you bridge the amp (if it has that capability), you will reduce it to a single channel output. Not sure what you are getting at here??

Doc

Doc, I think he is looking at using two AMC amps bridged. (100x2 or 250x1).

Cheers,
Rooster

VR3
07-28-2003, 06:02 PM
Originally posted by tryrrthg
REL has the lowest crossovers that I know of. Allowing the crossovers in the low 20's.

@_@ My M&K does like 120-20hz. You can cross it over from 120hz all the way down to 20hz.

dragon1952
07-28-2003, 06:05 PM
You might have to use speaker level connections to your sub from your power amp, and then feed your main speakers a speaker level signal from the sub. There's no reason it wont work, and is an intelligent way to do it.

I don't know if this is generaly true or not but I found this while searching for various methods of incorporating a sub in a 2-channel system:
RE: connecting sub-
"Using the "Speaker level" inputs requires some care, since this usually involves connecting it in "parallel" with other speakers, and therefore generally reduces the impedance of these connections putting more of a strain on your receivers amplifier."

link=http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/howto-av.html

RuSsMaN
07-28-2003, 06:12 PM
Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
:rolleyes: My M&K does like 120-20hz. You can cross it over from 120hz all the way down to 20hz.

Cross it over at 20Hz? That's a hoot, considering that sub has almost ZERO useable output in entire first octave. ;)

Cheers,
Rooster

VR3
07-28-2003, 06:39 PM
Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Cross it over at 20Hz? That's a hoot, considering that sub has almost ZERO useable output in entire first octave. ;)

Cheers,
Rooster

I never said it played that loud, I said you can cross it over there.....jeez, chill....;)

RuSsMaN
07-28-2003, 07:00 PM
It's all good young buck, I have *three* powered, and *one* passive sub in use in my humble abode, and only *two* of those can hit 25Hz (room loaded) at a level thats remotely useable.

Cheers,
Rooster

Dr. Spec
07-28-2003, 07:24 PM
Cross it over at 20Hz? That's a hoot, considering that sub has almost ZERO useable output in entire first octave.

Sid got owned.

http://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/waffen/violent-smiley-012.gif (http://)

tryrrthg
07-28-2003, 07:35 PM
Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
:rolleyes: My M&K does like 120-20hz. You can cross it over from 120hz all the way down to 20hz.
Why are you rolling your eyes?!? I said REL is the only sub I KNOW of that crosses over that low. I don't know anything about M&K... You could have just told me that without being a smart ass and acting like I'M the dumbass!

VR3
07-28-2003, 07:38 PM
Dont take that serious man, Cmon.....I just like that smiley - really - AIM should have it. MSN has a really cool one. Don't worry about it......gah! Everyone is so uptight around here!!!!!!!!:D

Doc,
Yep! I'm OWNED!

Russ, I need a new Subwoofer.....lol

tryrrthg
07-28-2003, 07:42 PM
Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Dont take that serious man, Cmon.....I just like that smiley - really - AIM should have it. MSN has a really cool one. Don't worry about it......gah! Everyone is so uptight around here!!!!!!!!:D

No biggie, it just came off the wrong way. water under the bridge my man.


Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Russ, I need a new Subwoofer.....lol [/B]
You and me both! :D But I need a new amp first!

VR3
07-28-2003, 07:43 PM
I plan to get the SVS 20-39 PCi. Just need the $$$$$!!

dragon1952
07-29-2003, 12:18 AM
My M&K does like 120-20hz. You can cross it over from 120hz all the way down to 20hz.

Cross...over....at.....20....Hz :eek: Wha?! Huh!?
What kinda sub would one own that they would set the x-over at 20Hz!?!?

M&K must stand for "M"akin' it up' & just "K" iddin' !