[Irwin]

I've been led to believe that there is a potential problem when connecting the speaker outputs on a Tripath (chipamp) to the speaker
inputs on a subwoofer.Is this true,and if so is there a simple remedy?
                                                                                         Thanks!

[Folsom]

Hm my 3875 chips seem to do well, but with speakers as well.

[dweekie]

Tripaths are class D chips, and when these are of bridged output design, the negative terminals do not connect to the ground.  When connected to the subwoofer amp, they can be shorted together in the subwoofer amp.  Not all subwoofers have a problem with this, but for those that do, here is a thread of a solution (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=38384.0).  Ed calls it as the Magic Cable/Box I believe, and Audiomagus has another variation (http://www.audio-magus.com/SubLine_Subwoofer_Connector_p/slv2.htm). 

BTW, a chipamp is usually used to refer to class AB based chips such as the LM1875, 3875, 3886, etc.  Tripaths are usually referred to as class D or T chips.  I don't think the term "chipamp" is set in stone, but for the most part, it can be assumed that chipamps are the class AB amps and do not include class D.  It is a bit confusing at times....   

[Folsom]

Well that explains me not having a problem.

[Irwin]

 Hi dweekie,
    Thanks for the information.I have a HSU STF-1 sub.They are very specific about how to connect their sub.Unless the amp has a LFE
or Subwoofer out,you have to use the high level speaker connections(speaker outputs from amp to sub,and speaker outputs on sub to speakers).Any thoughts about this?I was really looking foward to picking up a Trends TA 10.1 Tripath amp to power my new single driver
Tektons.

[dweekie]

I haven't heard one of these, but the Virtue One has been getting some attention lately.  From the parts and design, it looks superior to a Trends for just a little more in price.  It also has a buffered rca output for subwoofer, so there is no issue with subwoofer connection.  If the price is within budget, I would probably get one of these over any of the other low cost Tripath amps. 

http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/va_audiophile_one_e.html

http://store.virtueaudio.com/product-p/vrtu-ia-ap11-1.htm

Of course there are plenty of other amp options, but for Tripath amps, this looks to a very good amp at a similar price to a Trends/Subline combo. 

[Folsom]

Would 22kohm resistors work for this? I have very efficient speakers and not so efficient subwoofers.

I also only have good 22kohmers laying around. I was just thinking maybe the RCA in might sound better than the high level in.

[BillB]

If you are using any sort of preamp or volume control prior to the amp just run the amp and sub off y-cables. I had been doing it for years with no issues.

Obviously if you are using the amp to track volume this doesn't work because the sub won't track.

[Folsom]

I would rather not do that to the integrity of the signal. My understanding is it hurts the signal quite a bit.