2. speakers
  3. 1122685914

rel with monoblocks

I would appreciate input of any owners of rel st series 2 owners who have monoblocks. I am considering upgrading to monoblocks of a yet to be determined type, but my rel studio 2 instructions say that to use it with monoblocks, you must use a rel for each channel. To me it seems that as long as the rel cable would reach both amps it should be no different than connecting it to the back of a stereo amp. Any thoughts?
bigsam2
maxoman1
2 posts
 
Has there been anything new on this  topic since 2010? I'm hoping to add an REL-328 to my current system which is running two (one for right channel and one for left channel) Marantz MA-500 monoblock amplifiers. Will a connection as described by ckoffend above work? Is there a possibility of causing damage to the amplifiers?
Thanks
barnettk
295 posts
 
@maxoman1 

I know this is an old post, but in case others come across this post. I just purchased a single  Rel 212SE and will be using them with (2) Mcintosh MC601 mono blocks (fully balanced) I will not be connecting them in the manor described above. Not sure if your amps are balanced or not or if that even matters but REL certainly discourages the practice. I plan to run the outputs form my processor to the sub, and keep things on the safe side.. its not worth causing any damage to my amps or the sub. I have a rule. If the manufacture of the product warns about a connection type I typically will follow their advice. Good luck with your Sub. 
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
I’ve never noticed anything from REL recommending NOT using the "high level" amp driven input, as that’s a major part of the REL mojo, "The Sound of Your Amp." Very high impedance presented to the amp’s output means the amp doesn’t care. I use 2 RELs getting the same signal (helps with some room node standing waves it seems) and with proper placement and level they’re great sounding. One hot lead to each terminal (or each positive on a mono amp) and one to a negative lead...I doubt that would damage any amp. http://www.musicdirect.com/documents/pdf/ARELR218.pdf
tobes's avatar
tobes
302 posts
 
The REL support pages specifically recommend to use the low level inputs with monoblocks and a single REL sub:

Monoblocks (1 REL) Connection Method
"It is not recommended to use the High Level cable when connecting a single REL. To achieve stereo input to your REL you will need to use the Low Level input. Please see our Low Level input guide."

If 2 subs are used with monoblocks REL revert to the high level speakon connection method.

I use the low level connections in for my setup and it integrates fine. Some users have apparently compared the Speakon to low level connections and prefer the later. Like most things it's probably system dependent.

https://relsupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004649108-Monoblocks-1-REL-Connection-Method
More to discover