2. speakers
  3. 127214-498

Possible sound deterioration adding subwoofer between amp and speakers

Hello, I have a secondary stereo system that I'm very happy with but am thinking of adding a sub. The setup currently in use starts with iTunes FLAC files or Pandora to a very competent Russian 6L6GC integrated amp to B&W CDM1 speakers through an Audioquest USB DAC Dragonfly.  The sound is wonderful but lacking in the very lowest of frequencies when listening to some symphonic music. I have a small Pinnacle Baby Boomer sub that I might like to use but am concerned that it may affect the sound in some negative way. The amp has no line out connection so I would be using the sub's speaker jacks. The speakers have a rating of 47Hz so I am considering setting the crossover at around 50Hz to minimize its inclusion except at the lowest frequencies. Any advice would be appreciated. 
128x128broadstone
bgpowell
67 posts
 
broadstone, I have a Pinnacle Baby Boomer sub (acutally 2).  I run them with Newform Research monitors.  I tried the speaker level route and the sound degraded horribly.  The crossover and slope are It is much better to run at the rca line level interconnects in parallel with your speakers (use a y splitter if you don't have two outputs) and adjust crossover point and gain by trial and error. Depending on your components, try the 180 degree phase switch.  The Baby Boomer is nice little sub for its price point and its sealed design results in tight bass if not overly deep and loud.  I use two in my setup and it makes for a much smoother integration.
Post removed 
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
277 posts
 
I think I have an idea that might work, at least it did when I was using a preamp in my main system. I'll use 2 RCA splitters from the Dragonfly sending duplicate pre amplified signals to both the amp and the sub. The amplifier is integrated and the sub is powered, even for non line signals, so I think this will work and impedance issues will no longer be a factor. I'll get the stuff I need and report back unless one of you sees othe issues that might be seen as a problem. 
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
277 posts
 
It worked. The signal to the amp seems clean and the sub is working ok. The rest of the story is that I used a splitter combining R and L signals from the DAC to the mono line input of the sub. If the sub's power switch is on, regardless of the position of either the volume or crossover controls, the sub is audibly on and its volume control is fully functional.  Obviously,with the sub's switch off, the setup returns to the same uncluttered great sound that led me to buy this amp in the first place.  Anyway, I'm satisfied and thank Those who helped me with this question. 
More to discover