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Best of both worlds?

If you used a powered sub (such as a Vandersteen 2Wq w/ an external corssover) along with a tube amp, would you effectively have the "best of both worlds" or would your SS sub amp get too much of a low-end sonic signature from the tube amp.
nrenter

Showing 3 responses by gunbei

gunbei
2,327 posts
 
I believe the Vandersteen 2Wq like the REL ST series, but unlike the Vandersteen V2W is meant to accept a high level signal from the speaker binding posts of your power amp.

I'm not sure what you mean by best of both worlds though.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Ahh, I see. Yes, I think it's very possible to have the best of both worlds.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Nrenter, I too have been using an X-30 with a Bryston 4B amp and NHT SW3P passive sub and I'm quite happy with this arrangement. I have not tried the high pass section of the X-30, and as I suspected from the other posts here that it compromises the performance of the main speakers being used with it.

I'd like to add a caviet to my previous endorsement of running a tube amp for your mains with a solid state powered subwoofer. I've found that the while a subwoofer can improve the overall bass, the quality of the bass you get from your main amp and main speakers will also have a great influence and/or limit the overall quality of bass you get even with a sub. I've noticed this even among varying solid state amps.

Good luck.
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