[cmryan21]

Hi guys. I apologize in advance for an extremely newbish question. If a sub has only a single xlr input, is there any way it can be connected to a preamp which has only two pairs of stereo analog outputs? Again, I apologize for the very basic question.

[chosenhandle]

no biggie.

rca y cable for your preamp to a RCA/XLR converter. I had the same problem (backwards from yours) and used a jensen convertor specifically made for subs/low frequency conversion. Works great.

[Wayner]

You shouldn't "y-cable" the left and right channels together from the preamp output. The 2nd stereo outputs are probably wired parallel to the first, so I thinking the amp (and preamp) and going to go weird and see signals from each channel in each channel, making "mono" ouput with your amplifier, too. I'm thinking the better way is to run your speaker cables thru your subwoofer, using it's internal cross-over then out to your left and right mains. If you don't have a dedicated mono LFE output from your preamp, this is the better way, IHMO.

Wayner

[cmryan21]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help.

[BobC]

Hmm, I read your question to say that you only want to connect a pre that happens to have 2 RCA outs.  If that's the case I believe you can get an in-line RCA / XLR adaptor, i.e. no Y.  Send 1 set of RCA outputs to your main amps and the other to the RCA/XLR adaptor and then on to the sub.  You'll want to use the subs crossover and level to dial it in.

If however you're asking how to connect both your pre and a HT Receiver to the sub, which only has 1 input...I had the same issue.  I tried to do the Y connection and developed a nasty ground loop.  Simple solution: go buy a simple 2 way AV switch from Radio Shack for about $15.  Run both lines into the "output side" of the switch and connect your sub to the "input" side.  Works like a charm and you dont have to connect your speaker cables to the sub.

[Wayner]

No, he said he has 2 pairs of pre outputs.

Wayner

[BobC]

Yes, sorry if I was unclear...that's what I thought...2 sets of RCS outs.  1 can go to the stereo amp and the other can go to the sub. 

Many way to skin the cat though.

[cmryan21]

Yeah, a preamp with two pairs of rca stereo outs(first going to l/r amp channels) connected to a sub with a single mono xlr connection. Thanks again for all the help guys.

[Wayner]

I don't think you guys understand the problem. He can't sum the two channels to go to his subwoofer without f*nking up the signal going to his power amp, unless he brings just one channel to his subwoofer and that will put a weird load on his amp, cause it will have different impedances from one channel to the next, because the subwoofer amp will affect the input impedance. He can't do what you are proposing.

The only way he can fix this problem is by routing his speaker cables thru the subwoofer.

Wayner

[werd]

  what preamp and sub do you have ..... if you are still around? I think its funny that noone has bothered asking this yet since it pretty much the most important piece of info in answering this.

[Wayner]

He doesn't have an LFE output, said so in his opening statement.

[werd]

Well he said he has two analogue outputs.  I am assuming they are connected to the volume control. He might have a tape monitor on that pre too which is line level. Is there a volume on the sub? telling us what sub and pre it is would answer all those questions for us. Make it lot easier... thats was all i was saying.