[rockdrummer]

Hi everyone.  I'm hoping to clear up 2 questions I have been researching on the forum, and I've watched some videos online about it, but I'm looking for advice.  I know several servo users hook up their sub using speaker level inputs because it sounds better.  It gives the sub amp the "sonic signature" the main amp sends to the mains.  My understanding, anyway.   

1.  Do I need to buy a specific set of speaker cables that are built for this specific purpose?  Where they have one end for the main amp, and then somewhere it is split to go to the sub amp and the main speakers?  Or do I simply hook two sets of speaker wire up to the main amp and run one to the sub and the other to the mains?

Also, am I correct in saying this doesn't affect the main amp at all, since it is drawing a voltage only?

2.  Do I need to plan on having similar quality speaker cables to make this worthwhile?  I have the basic Kimber 4pr, and am wondering if most people spend the same amount on their sub line speaker cables.

Thanks for any info you may have.  I am not running anything from my amp right now because I am in between pairs of speakers.  But for future reference, I would like to use the best sounding option for my sub gear.


Ben

[corndog71]

From my understanding this is not the best way to hook up a sub.  I think there's a big cap in signal path in the sub amp which has a negative affect on the sound.  If you insist on doing it this way then regular speaker cables are fine. 

For better sound quality you really need a Preamp output or Sub output to go to the Line In on the sub amp.

[rockdrummer]

Thanks for the reply corndog.  I've been using a preamp signal to the line-in rca input.  I didn't have any complaints about the sound, but I'm also in an untreated room and like I mentioned before, I'm not even running the subs right now. 

I know some people have used the speaker level inputs, but maybe there isn't much to gain, especially until I get some room treatments.

Ben

[Danny Richie]

No problem using the speaker level inputs. It will still sound great and some people do think that they integrate better for them using that input.

Older versions of the amps had speaker level inputs and outputs on the amp with a cap in the path of the outputs. Those outputs were to be avoided. The latest amps have an input only.

[Early B.]

I know some people have used the speaker level inputs, but maybe there isn't much to gain, especially until I get some room treatments.

I've used the speaker level inputs before and thought it sounded better. I switched back to the line-in merely to simplify the setup. Try it using some old speaker cable you probably already have. No need to buy fancy sub cables.   

[mlundy57]

When I did this in the past, I had one pair of speaker wires connected to the binding posts with spades and the other pair of speaker wires connected to the same pair of binding posts with banana plugs. This worked fine.

Just one caution, if your power amp has A and B speaker outputs, use the same pair of speaker outputs for both the speakers and the subwoofers. Once I connected the speakers to the Speaker A binding posts and the subwoofer to the Speaker B binding posts. I set the amp for Speakers A+B, turned it on, and blew it up. Apparently the speaker level inputs of the sub amps do not present enough of a load so I shorted the amp out. One of these days I need to get that amp fixed 

Mike

[Captainhemo]

Another  concern is  that  with certain  fully balanced amps, the  "neg"  binding post  may in fact  not be tied to ground. It may  be  sending  -v to the speker  or  in  this case, to the neg  high level input on the   a70 which is tied to ground.

See here
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=156711.msg1677051#msg1677051

jay

[mlundy57]

Another  concern is  that  with certain  fully balanced amps, the  "neg"  binding post  may in fact  not be tied to ground. It may  be  sending  -v to the speker  or  in  this case, to the neg  high level input on the   a70 which is tied to ground.

See here
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=156711.msg1677051#msg1677051

jay

I'd forgot about this one and I'd better not since my newest power amp is in this category.

Mike

[rockdrummer]

I'm glad there's so many helpful and insightful people on this forum.  Never would have known about the ground info. 

I would be using a Bottlehead 2A3 amp, and I have the boards for Folsom's chip amp, but haven't started it yet. 

I think i'll wait to get up and running with main speakers, build the folsom and see how those sound.
Was planning on the wedgie, but with the driver being unavailable, I would like to see about the X-otica MTM as a possiblity.  Saving as of now.

Thanks again for the info.

Ben