[Jazzman53]

Hello All,

I'm preparing to build a pair of Ripole subs using a pair of Peerless SLS 12's wired parallel in each sub and both powered by a Carver TFM-42 (375w/ch) power amp.  The question now is how to couple the subs to my old Carver 2-channel system.  I bi-amp my speakers but my current crossover doesn't have a sub out so I will have to find one that does and figure out how to integrate the Ripoles.  My understang about Ripoles is that they are best used below 200 hz because they typically have a cavity resonance somewhere between 200-300 hz.   

Option 1:
ART 311: http://www.parts-express.com/pdf/245-862s.pdf
This unit is simple & cheap but its sub-out crossover slope is just 12db/oct and I'm concerned that that may be too shallow for the Ripoles (?)

Option 2:
Behringer DCX2496 digital crossover. This unit does about everything imaginable but I'm not sure if it has enough gain control to balance the subs with the rest of my system (?)

I'm already using a Behringer DEQ2496 EQ in the external processor loop of my old Carver C1 preamp.  So, if I go with the DCX crossover, the signal path would go analog > digital > analog, once, thru the DEQ and then a second time thru the DCX.  Is that a valid concern or is it less problematic than going thru the analog filters in my current crossover after the DEQ (?)

It's not clear to me if my Carver C1 preamp and DEQ would still work OK together if I were to relocate the DEQ to behind the preamp.  If so, I'm could then perhaps have the signal path going analog into the DEQ, then digital from the DEQ into the DCX (eliminating a second D/A conversion) and finally analog to the power amps.  Is this doable with an analog preamp or would it create other problems?

These are the only options I can think of but feel free to offer other options as well. Thanks!

Charlie

[JohnR]

I'd get a miniDSP. Here's my article on it:
 

• MiniDSP article

You would want to use the two-way plugin instead of the 2.1 plugin if you are crossing at 200 Hz. You should be able to sell the DEQ.

[AVnerdguy]

I prefer to have two amps and keep the systems separated. Leave the DEQ in the loop and use the C1 2nd pre out to drive the Behringer xvr to a sub amp directly.

I do the same with the Behringer units. I believe the C1 pre outs are in phase with each other and if they aren’t the Behringer has a phase invert so that shouldn’t be an issue. The Behringer EQ has plenty of drive.

This arrangement will allow you to EQ the mains and the xvr has enough shelving to tweak those lower freqs. If you don’t want to drive the mains full freq you could use a simple filter to roll off the lower end of the mains. Kind of a compromise but you won’t be doing multiple AD/DA conversions.