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.
128x128nrenter
I have owned the servo 15/x-30 combo for a number of years and discovered that the active crossover does take something out of the high pass signal. It is an excellent sub crossover but leaves something to be desired for the highs.

Ecclectique hit it right on the head with using one set of outputs for the mains, and the 2nd set for the x-30/servo 15.

If not two outputs then the tape monitor output will work. This is what I am personally doing at the moment with good results. The x-30 with its infinite phase adjustment, crossover point, and gain control makes it very easy to blend the sub into a room (provided you dont stick it in a corner, avoid the common fractional cancellation points, etc).
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.
Ecclectique,thanks for the suggestion. After disconnecting the xover from the pre-amp I realized there is 2 outputs! And thats how I connected my system. My mains are Tannoy Rectangular GRF with 15" golds. After a bit of tweaking with the xover, I've notice a great improvement. I will upgrade my amp (ie. SET amp) before I get a better xover,but that will be a while.
Hi Leeph. Glad I could be of some help. This is interesting to me as well as I too use 15 inch Tannoys. Cheers