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Connecting monoblock tube amps to single subwoofer.

Hi all,

I have added a REL5TX sub to my system which is driven by VTL225 monoblocks.Currently the sub and amps are connected via the low level outputs on my preamp. I would prefer to use the high level connection to the REL by direct  connection to the the VTLs. I am concerned about creation of a ground loop that will cause hum on the system. I have been told that the ground loop can be avoided by running a ground wire directly between each amp. Is this a possible solution, and if so, where / how should the ground "jumper" be connected to each monoblock?

Many thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

rbanathy

Showing 1 response by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,116 posts
 

Connecting to one speaker only ½ works for mono bass such as on LPs. Master tapes do not have mono bottom. 

@ieales 

At 80Hz, the waveform is 14 feet long. The ear cannot know a tone is there until the entire waveform has passed by it, and to acknowledge the frequency takes a couple more iterations.

By this time, unless your room is enormous, all the bass in the room below 80Hz (and probably higher too) is entirely reverberant!

Consequently the fact that the bass is mono below 80Hz is of no consequence whatsoever, unless you play headphones in which case no need for a subwoofer 😁

As long as the bass is mono on an LP, (for the few milliseconds where this might be the case, should there be out-of-phase bass in the groove) its of no consequence there either.

However I prefer using the preamp output if possible. But for the subs its still run mono.

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