Why aren't my subs turning on?

SW,

Do you have the manual that came with the sub, because it sounds like it may be a problem of not having your settings correct.

When you are playing music you have a stereo line-level source hooked up to the line-level stereo RCA inputs and the switch is set to "Auto-On" with the Red LED (not "stand-by"). Also you have the crossover switch in the position to use the sub's internal crossover and not an external crossover, correct?

Those are my best ideas to check without having the manual for reference...

I will look for the nanual. I have the L and R pre-amp output (not stereo, the SMS-1 does not output stereo) going to the SMS-1 which IS an external x-over, so I have the internal crossover OFF. The switch is set to Auto-on with the red LED lit (which is stand-by, I think). It goes to green if I turn it off and on manually, and seems to play correctly after I do that. I turned the SMS-1 output (called volume) up to about 60% and still did not get it to turn on when the CD starts up, but it will come on when cycled off and then back to auto-on.

What happens if you set the SMS-1 output to 100%?

I've downloaded the manual and the subs are set up (at least I think they are) the way its recommended. Pre-amp level outputs to SMS-1, equalized output of SMS-1 to sub (there are three equalized (aka LFE) outputs to use so you can run 3 mono subs at once if you desire. No way to run stereo subs without 2 SMS-1s (I asked Velodyne). I will try the 100% output on the SMS-1 and turn the sub volume way down and see what happens.

OK, color me red!!! I just went back to swap right for left at the sub input in case it made any difference, picked up the sub end of the i/e and the other end was dangling loose!! I guess they won't work if they are not connected. Problem solved. Thanks to all who made an effort to assist one dumb-a$$ audiofool. Happy holidays, all.