Pairing with Vienna Acoustics Hadyn Grand&Rel B3?

I had an excellent conversation with Matthew at Bel Canto. He explained to me that:

Bel Canto 500 series amplifiers, both Ref 500S and Ref 500M can be connected directly to a Rel subwoofer, because they have only 1 active speaker lead, as if they were old style class A or A/B amps, while the 2nd lead is referenced to ground, which is what the Rel sub expects.

Ref 1000m, and all 300 series amps, have 2 live speaker leads, and if connected to a Rel, they are likely to damage themselves or to damage the sub.

He added that the easiest, simplest, and likely most sonically compelling solution is not to connect power amps to a subwoofer at all, but to connect a line level output from the pre to the sub instead, regardless of what type of amp you use.

Guido

Guido - I appreciate all your dilegence.

Interestingly enough, REL in their manuals suggest that the optimal way to connect to their SUBS is to the speaker terminals:
"It is helpful to know that you will almost always connect the REL to the input on the
rear panel labelled “HIGH LEVEL.” This connection is made using the supplied 34’
10” (10 meters) cable, the bare leads of which connect to the speaker output
terminals of the power amplifier. The easy and foolproof connection at the REL is
done with a Neutrik Speakon connector. The purpose of connecting to the speaker
output terminals is one of the unique secrets of REL’s success. By connecting to the
high level input on the REL from the amplifier, you build forward the sonic signature of
your main system, including the tonal balance and timing cues of the entire
electronics chain. In this way, the REL is fed the exact signal that is fed to the main
speakers."

As I wade deeper into the audiophile pool the water gets more murky :)

Thanks!

Yes, I am aware of that. The suggestion of connecting the Rel to the pre comes from Bel Canto. If you prefer to connect your Rel to the amp I suggest you go with Bel canto ;500 series, either mono or stereo. On Monday I'll investigate further with Soundings Hifi in Denver. They have a lot of experience connecting Rel subs to JRDG class D amps, which are of the balanced output variety like the Bel Canto 300 and 1000 series.

GUido

Apparently REL offers a 'digital Cable' whose purpose in life is to let one connect REL active subwoofers directly to amplifiers that have totally balanced outputs. . . that is active positive and negative leads. This cable has little circuit buried in epoxie, and a supplementary ground wire terminated with an RCA connector, which is to be connected to an RCA output of the preamplifier in the system.

The 'digital cable' makes REL woofers compatible with every current JRDG class D model, except for Model 102, possibly because 102 is not transformer coupled in the outputs. The compatibility of the REL 'digital cable' with Bel Canto 300 and 1000 series amps should be investigated with Bel Canto tech support at 612-317-4550, x.200.

For more information about the REL digital cable please call Sumiko Audio at: 510-843-4500  

Thanks Guido, my intention certainly wasn't to open a can of worms.