Stereo sub out to mono, is it safe?


My new integrated amp has L/R sub output and my sub only has a mono input. Is it safe to use a Y adapter to sum the L/R output to the mono input or will this cause a short? Thanks for your insight.
geared4me
Al, having made a significant investment in my system, I generally rely on the tech experts at ARC to advise me on what works and what does not. OTOH, I learned about Tom Tutay from A'gon Forum members.

The bottom line is that my solution was factory approved and works. In fact, my system even sounds better because I'm properly loading my pre. I'm sorry that some other folks may find our advice "too technical," but sometimes doing the right thing means learning a little bit about electronic, asking for the proper advice from the people who know YOUR equipment, and remediating a problem in a safe, factory approved fashion.

I know you agree with me and have said so above. My recommendation to the OP is to call the factory and ask for their advice since it's their equipment. If a custome buffer or some other sort of gear is needed, Tom Tutay is a go-to guy whi is well respected by many knowledgeable A'gon members.

That's all I have to say because otherwise I'm just repeating myself.

So . . . I thank you for your technical and experienced based advice, given here and in many other threads.

But if the OP or others want to play their systems with a one channel sub, or short out their amps, or damage their equipment -- I'm sorry for them.
Well, before tha manufacturer could get back to me the amp arrived and had a problem right out of the box so it is going back to the distributor. I will keep all of this info for the future and hopefully it will help the next person who is wondering. Thanks everyone
I had the same issue.I just got a new Music Hall a70.2 integrated amp and Martin Logan Vista speakers.My MH integrated has pre outs that the manual says can be use to hook up a sub.I had a old paradigm sub that only has one line level input.So I used a y adapter to combine both Right Left into the sub.It worked but made my main speakers mono.So I just use the right preout into the sub.This sounds decent but not perfect.I am waiting on a new HSU sub with right left inputs to do it right.So for me using the y adapter made my new integrated mono.
lord almarg:
your explanation, as always makes a lot of sense. in your expert view, would there be an issue with simply connecting one channel of the amp to the sub input as elizabeth suggests?