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External crossover good next move?

Hello Audiogoners, budget-minded post

I have an NAD C320BEE amp with a basic Velodyne subwoofer (CT-80) inserted between pre and amp sections (per Bob Reynolds suggestion--thank you). Source is a Lite DAC-AH, fed by an NAD CD player.

The problem is the cable runs to and from the subwoofer need to be quite long (at least 6 feet). I have a DH Labs cable from the DAC to pre, but cables running to the sub and back, I am ashamed to say, are $29 Monster cable. So I wonder how much I am losing in the Monster cable. Also I wonder about the quality of the crossover in my sub: this is an 80-watt HT-oriented sub I got for $300 new in 2001.

I am considering an external crossover, like Paradigm x-30 or Outlaw ICBM. Could I expect a real improvement through this upgrade? Does anyone have a sense of quality of the crossover in a sub like mine, versus those products?

I like the sub-monitor arrangement, and am not quite ready to buy a new amp, although I would not be surprised to hear that is best route. Any ideas appreciated
abarnett
abarnett OP
18 posts
 
Thank you both for your suggestions. What is an OP?

I don't want 12 feet of ICs--that's why I'm considering this. I can connect an external XO with two short ICs of decent quality (which I have) and run less-good cable to the sub. My thinking is, if I can pick up a decent external XO for <$200 used, I can clean up the signal path compared to what I have now and avoid long IC runs. I guess I will try both approaches and see which sounds better.

Bob, if the more expensive SVS sub is a good idea, then why isn't a good external crossover also a good idea? It's the same approach, right?

What about a good-quality, external crossover designed to work at speaker level? That would avoid the objection about distortion in the woofers. Does anyone make that?
robr45's avatar
robr45
317 posts
 
OP is original poster.

Why dont you run a search for "subwoofer line level speaker" at audioasylum? Might help.

Here is something from www.rel.net

<<
A2. Agreed, most do. However, REL sub-bass systems use the unique REL ABC, which circumvents this problem completely. The ABC is part of the electronics of the sub-bass system and as such does not interfere with the main signal route between pre amp, power amp and the speakers of the main system. For hi-fi use, the signal for the REL is taken at high level via the main speaker terminals on the main amplifier. The impedance of the REL’s high level input (100,000 ohms) has no adverse effect on the main system whatsoever. >>>
robr45's avatar
robr45
317 posts
 
Here is the questions; it didnt post initially.

Re; issues with subwoofer integration.

Q2. They either need a crossover hanging on the end of the power amp or an active filter between the pre and power amps, aren't both likely to ruin the sound from any carefully chosen system?

Answer in post above.

Generic, yes.

Search in the speaker asylum for more info.
Post removed 
abarnett OP
18 posts
 
A follow-up. I went ahead and got an Outlaw ICBM on Ebay. This device was mainly built for DVD audio/SACD players, but can be used as a stereo crossover and got good reviews. So now I have good quality ICs from source to main amp, and a much shorter trip.

I'm happy with the effect. Definite improvement in detail, clarity, e.g., I can hear nuances in vocals I haven;t before; things seem a little better sorted out. Not night and day, but appreciable. I have not yet tried the two sets of speaker wire approach Rob recommends, but will.

Only complaint is I'm noticing the sub more on certain song, a little thuddy. This may be a matter of tuning things. Or I'm just turning on it now that I have started to imagine better! Thank you all for your suggestions
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