Connecting a sub to amp pre-amp outs?


I know this is a painfully ignorant question for most of you guys, but bear with me. I have never had a sub before so... There is no sub out on my integrated amp, but I do have a pair of pre-amp out jacks. Can I connect these directly to the low level inputs (L and R) on my powered sub? The sub manual says I can do that, but my Arcam amp's manual doesn't say anything about that--in fact, the manual more or less says that the only time I would need the pre-amp outs is to add a power amp for bi-amping. Right now I am using the second set of speaker binding posts on the amp to run regular speaker cable to the high level inputs on the sub. What will I gain/lose if I can go from the pre-amp outs on the amp to the low level inputs on the sub?
salby6
What subwoofer and for what use (HT or music)? Many subs (like REL for example) work much better for playing 2 channel music, if they are connected to the high pass speaker cable connection. The pre-out is usually better for HT surround.
The problem (I think --if I understand your set up correctly) is that if you output from the preamp outs on your amp to the sub you will not have control over the volume in proportion to the level you are playing the amp at.
Thanks for all the input. I am primarily a music listener. Thanks to all who have commented on my question. The sub is an Infinity Servo Sub which seems to match very well with my Paradigm Reference 20 v.2 monitors. My amp is an Arcam Alpha 8R integrated.

Reading Wizard454's comments, I'm not sure why I would run a pair of IC's to the sub from a Y adapter attached to the Pre-outs on the amp and then another pair of IC's from that Y adapter back to the Pre-in on the amp. I guess I don't understand the concept involved and it doesn't help that my amp's manual and the sub manual don't talk about that alternative.
If the sub has pre ins and outs you can go from the Adcom to the sub from the pre-outs of the Adcom then from the sub to your main amp. This means that you will be using the crossover in the sub and it may or may not be bad for the sound of your main speakers. I prefer to use "Y" cables if the preamp doesn't have two sets of pre-outs and send one signal to the sub and the other to my main amp. This way the sub can be set to roll off the bass at a low frequency such as 63hz and the main speakers can still run full range without the detrimental effects of the subs crossover.
Some prefer to use the sub crossover to take the bass out of the main speakers because it frees up the midrange and takes some of the strain off of your main amp. You can try it both ways and see which one you like.
Salby- Your Arcam integrated provides for a pair of pre-amp outputs to drive another amp (bi-amping). As Stehno is correct in that using these pre-amp outputs to your sub is the preferred configuration.

These outputs will function with your volume control. If I recall correctly, this is NOT an internal amp-bypass connection as found on some receivers which is what Wizard is referring to. As long as your sub has RCA inputs for both L & R channels, then just run a pair of RCA cables from the pre-amp outputs to the sub inputs. (The sub will sum both channels for you assuming it is a single subwoofer). Good luck.