[BikeWNC]

coming out of my sub.  I think that I may want to either replace my Rel Strata III with a sub that has a steeper, higher order crossover or add an external active crossover such as a Marchand.   The advantage of the Marchand is that it will free my Diluceos from low frquencies.  Will it also add noise or introduce other problems?  

Andy

[Cens]

That's unusual.  How do you have it hooked up?  What cross-over point are you using?  I use a speaker-level connection and have it set at roughly (and nominally) at 35hz.  (Nominally because I've heard that REL cross-over points may actually be higher than the listed on the settings chart.)  Never had a problem pulling in stuff from the higher registers.

Regards,

Chris

[BikeWNC]

I am currently using the low level connections, though I mainly used the speaker level connection in the past (I didn't check for the voice problem then).  I have monoblock amps that are several feet apart and I haven't stripped the high level cable enough to make the spread.  Perhaps I should get off my lazy butt and give it a check.  

As far as the Xover on the sub, I am using a TacT RCS 2.0 which does not have a separate sub Xover.  But, I am able to place the sub in position that is good for bass output and seems time aligned, at least according to the TacT.  So, I've set the Rel Xover near max and let the TacT RCS blend the frequencies to the correction curve for the speakers and the sub.  This also serves to remove some low frequencies from the speakers as the sub output needs to be lowered to curve.  The problem is if I turn down the sub Xover to the lowest setting I can still hear vocals, though at a much lower level.  Maybe I should contact Rel about that.

Andy

[Cens]

Andy,

The only thing I can suggest is stripping the speaker-level connector so it works with your monoblocks (I did the same thing with mine and it works fine).   If you lose the voices with that connection at a reasonable cross-over, then it would seem that you've narrowed down the problem to a setting on the TACT piece (or with the TACT itself) or a problem with the REL's low-level connection.  If you do have a TACT without a special setting for subs -- IIRC that is an optional feature -- then I'm guessing (wildly, perhaps) that it may not be filtering out the higher frequencies effectively.

Edit:  The above would only help if by running the sub from the speaker connections you were removing the TACT from the equation.  If doing so doesn't pull it out from the TACT, do you have another preamp to use just to test?

Regards,

Chris

[BikeWNC]

The high level connection does offer better bass.  I have made the connection though when I turn off the amps to listen to the sub for high frequencies the sub of course gets no signal and if fact hums with must be a ground loop.  So I don't know if the problem still exists.  The Tact is not in a position to affect the sub other than it would regulate the balance of the overall signal.  The sub in low level connection gets its input from a tube preamp which is between the dac and the amps.  The Tact is used solely for room correction and is between the transport and the dac.  I don't think I want to drive my amps without speakers to listen to the sub for any high frequencies.  Though I could get some rat shack resisters if I really wanted to check it.

Andy

[Cens]

Andy,

Given your last message, not sure if this helps, but here's what I got from someone a bit smarter than I am:

---------------------------
"The TACT is a digital equalizer, it's not meant to be used as a sub crossover. If, as it sounds, he's virtually running the REL unfiltered, I'm not surprised he's hearing vocals from the REL.

He needs to bring the sub in at a lower frequency, and if he wants to filter the lows from the main speakers, he'll have to go with a Marchand or Bryston sub crossover. Of course doing so means all the music must pass through the sub crossover and there is a tradeoff. The speakers will have an easier time of it, but the extra layer of electronics is a compromise that will be noticeable and objectionable in some systems.

Personally I'd stay with the full-range mains and run the REL from the high level inputs."

-----------------

Maybe someone more familiar with the TACT on this board will have something else to add.

Regards,

Chris

[BikeWNC]

Thanks for that feedback, Chris.  The high level input definitely sounds better than the low.  I will fiddle with the Xover point on the sub as I know it can be set much lower than I have it now.  I want to keep the Tact in the loop because it does so much to remove peaks in a somewhat small room.

Andy

[Cens]

I never miss a chance to share my ignorance.     Hope it works out.

Chris