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Subwoofer connection to older tube amp

I need to connect my Dominator 8 Sub to an Audio Research D-90 Amp and SP-12 Pre. The amp outputs only allow left and right bare wire speaker connections for different ohm ratings and I'll use the 8 ohm for main speakers.

Like most subs I'm afforded 2 pair of Left & Right Speaker Level inputs and 1 pair L&R Line(RCA plug) inputs and 1 pair L&R Line outputs.

Where would I hook the L/R from the amp to the sub? I want to use the set-up mostly for music but also for movies/DVD's.
jamesk58

Showing 2 responses by steuspeed

steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
Use the sub amp and save the power from your tube amp for speakers only. Your tube amp might not like the load if you hook up speaker wires to speakers and sub. You can run line level to the sub and then line level out of the sub to your amps.

The other way to do it would be to use a Y spliter cable coming out of your pre-amp. Run line level to the sub and another to the D-90 amp. you can also buy rca splitters that are machined out of a block. Audioquest makes one.

http://www.nextag.com/AudioQuest-M22FHRD-One-Piece-79384484/prices-html
steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
That is how the high level inputs on a car stereo amp work for head units with no pre-amp out. It should work ok then. The down side is that the signal is amplified by the D90, un-amplified and re-amplified by the sub amp. This is likley to produce muddy bass. For best fidelity use direct rca line level connections with splitters like the Audioquest.
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