Subwoofer for classical music listener


This is my second post on the subject of subwoofers.
My first post wasn't specific enough.
I listen to classical music 90% of the time.
Are there any classical music listeners out there who have subwoofers?
if there are, could you let me know what you have?
i don't imagine I would need quite as powerful or expensive a sub as those who mainly listen to other types of music, but I may be wrong.

rvpiano
@Steakster, I don't think it's possible to answer your question without a lot of additional information, including the things you mentioned that cannot be determined, and also:


-- The input impedance of your power amp.
-- The length of the cables that connect the preamp and power amp.
-- Whether the outputs of the tube preamp are capacitively coupled or transformer coupled. (Or if it is one of the very few that are direct coupled, e.g., those made by Atma-Sphere).

Generally speaking, though, I would consider using a tube preamp to drive both a power amp and a pair of subs, at least one of which has an input impedance as low as 12K, to be cause for concern. Especially if the tube preamp has capacitively coupled outputs (as most tube preamps do), since the resulting output impedance most likely rises considerably in the bottom octave or two from what it is at higher frequencies. (The impedance of a capacitor increases as frequency decreases).

Something you might consider, though, would be trying to find some sort of buffer stage, that would provide a high input impedance and a low output impedance, and inserting it in the path between the preamp and the subs. Or, if the main power amp also has a low input impedance, perhaps inserting it in the path between the preamp and both destinations. Something like the Burson Audio buffer stage that was marketed some years ago, but is no longer made.

Best regards,

-- Al

   

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@almarg Here’s a bit more info.
- The power amp input impedance is 50k ohms RCA, 100k ohms XLR
- The preamp outs are transformer coupled - both XLR and RCA.
- The RCA cables from the preamp to the subs are 9’.
- The XLR cables from the preamp to the power amp are 4’. Capacitance: 5.9 pF (per foot at a frequency of 10 kHz)
- The preamp output impedance is either 180 or 630 ohms.
Does this help?

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