Balance not fading speaker

Think I got it. Reviewed the Carver sub guide and a third option is to go from the pre out to the sub line in, sub line out to the amp. The higher frequencies pass through to the amp and main speakers while just the low freq is processed by the sub.

Now balance works correctly and sound is very good once again.

Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

When doing this, are you using the sub as a cross over and not sending the full signal to the amp for the main speakers? If so, I would be concerned about this.

Additionally, I don't know how crazy I would be to be sending my main signal through this sub (or any sub for that manner) where it can have a sonic impact to the signal.

But, you have it running and are happy and that is all that matters.

Y cables would be fine as long as you split both outputs. In other words don't combine L&R outs into a single input.

Yes Carver states that the sub passive crossover is "keeping" the less than 70hz signals and sending the rest to the amp. They also state that this is the preferred method if there's no LFE Output, using smaller speakers (Focal Chorus) and tube amp.

Carver also shows the dual wire set-up I was using. They do note that the amp needs to be "common-grounded" because the two negative posts in the sub's amp are also. I talked to ARC about this and they said the amp would be fine.

Anyway, sounds good and the balance is correct but think I'll also get a pair of Y adapters and see how that sounds. Then I will have tested three different methods.

Installed RCA gold plated plug-in splitters. The solid type with two outputs, no wires. Works very well. Not sure if there's much defference in sound and it's kind of a pain to easily switch out between the different set-ups.

Will go with this for now. Much better than it was regardless. Thanks again for the inputs!