Preamp without subwoofer out

halo71

I've got a older model (early 90's) Onkyo preamp. It sounds SO much better with my Onkyo M504 than my H&K AVR with preouts etc. Problem is the Onk does not have a output for a sub. I can't afford a new pre atm. And I have always heard that running speaker wires to the sub then to the mains really degrades the sound.

I have not tried this hookup yet, cause I dont have the extra cables. But how much difference is there to method?

kawizx9r

Y-splitter from the preamp outputs to the subwoofers input should work.

Some plateamplifiers on subwoofers have speaker level inputs, but that means now running a pair of speaker wires as opposed to long interconnects.

Try both out and see what you like best.

-Freddy

halo71

I am not following you there. The preamp does not have a IC sub out at all. My current setup with the H&K, I am using a Y splitter to the sub.

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

I am not following you there. The preamp does not have a IC sub out at all.

I understand that, use a y-adapter on the pre-out of your preamp. This will turn one of your outputs into 2 of them on each output (meaning you've now got 4 in all).

Run one set like you normally would (1 left and 1 right) to your Onkyo power amp, and the other set to your subwoofers line-in and you're set!

-Freddy

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

My current setup with the H&K, I am using a Y splitter to the sub.

Ah ok, so you're already using that subwoofer's line-in with your H&K...didn't know that!

Does your subwoofer have it's own dedicated LFE input?

I'd say, use your H&K's sub out and connect it to your sub's LFE input (it'll be a single input) and go with the y-splitter method from your Onkyo preamp to the sub's line-in (it'll be a L/R input).

-Freddy

halo71

The sub is a Sound Dynamics THS-12, made by Energy I think. The preamp is a Onkyo P-301. Yes the sub has LFE.

I'd say, use your H&K's sub out and connect it to your sub's LFE input (it'll be a single input) and go with the y-splitter method from your Onkyo preamp to the sub's line-in (it'll be a L/R input).

Still not following ya. The pre has a L/R out for a power amp, only. Your talking about running cables from both the H&K and the Onk pre to the sub?!?


Right now....using the H&K amp section for the center and surrounds. Y-splitter to the sub. IC's to the poweramp to the Monitor 10's.

halo71

Hell the more I think about it now...I couldn't use the Onk pre for surround anyways, just 2 channel. Or am I missing something.

Maybe I need to think about it more. I have a separate surround processor.

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

The sub is a Sound Dynamics THS-12, made by Energy I think. The preamp is a Onkyo P-301. Yes the sub has LFE.




Still not following ya. The pre has a L/R out for a power amp, only. Your talking about running cables from both the H&K and the Onk pre to the sub?!?


Right now....using the H&K amp section for the center and surrounds. IC to the sub. IC to the poweramp to the Monitor 10's.

Well, at first I thought you were going to only use your Onkyo pre+Onkyo amp combo so I then suggested using y-cables from your pre to your sub and power amp.

You then mentioned that your H&K is hooked up to your sub already, assuming you're running some type of dual purpose setup? If that's not the case, then take the receiver out of the question and go with the y-cable method.

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

Hell the more I think about it now...I couldn't use the Onk pre in home theater mode anyways, just 2 channel. Or am I missing something.

Yeah, I figured you were going to use both methods....only thing is you would only have your Onkyo pre+amp running OR just your receiver alone. You don't want two signals going to your subwoofer at the same time, bad juujuu :eek:

kawizx9r

The reason why you can go with the L/R method from your Onkyo preamp to your sub is because, even though the preouts on the Onkyo are full range you can use the built-in crossover on your subwoofer plateamp to dial in where you want your sub to cut off at.

Using the dedicated LFE input on your subwoofer, you are bypassing the internal crossover in the subwoofer and therefore must use your H&K receiver to dial your sub in. Said-settings will be or should be available on your AVR if it indeed has a dedicated sub out.

-Freddy

halo71

Well if the wife wasn't known to BLAST the stereo when I wasn't around. I'd move the Mirage's into the den for theater and move the 10's into my music/guitar room for 2 channel with the Onk pre and poweramp. And just use the H&K for surround. But damn, I spend more time in the den and the 10's sound so much better.

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

Well if the wife wasn't known to BLAST the stereo when I wasn't around. I'd move the Mirage's into the den for theater and move the 10's into my music/guitar room for 2 channel with the Onk pre and poweramp. And just use the H&K for surround. But damn, I spend more time in the den and the 10's sound so much better.

You could just send those 10's and that Onkyo amp my way! :D;)

halo71

kawizx9r wrote: »

The reason why you can go with the L/R method from your Onkyo preamp to your sub is because, even though the preouts on the Onkyo are full range you can use the built-in crossover on your subwoofer plateamp to dial in where you want your sub to cut off at.

-Freddy

I am still not understanding you. The L/R out on the pre (which is not in use right now in the den for 5.1) must go to a poweramp for the mains. This preamp has no other out for center/sub/surrounds.

halo71

kawizx9r wrote: »

You could just send those 10's and that Onkyo amp my way! :D;)

I am sure my wife would agree with ya! But shipping would be a **** I think, from Georgia.

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

I am sure my wife would agree with ya! But shipping would be a **** I think, from Georgia.

Haha, I'm in Texas right now for the week.

Lol joking, just never heard a pair of 10's or any other vintage Polk's other than SDA's.

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

I am still not understanding you. The L/R out on the pre (which is not in use right now in the den for 5.1) must go to a poweramp for the mains. This preamp has no other out for center/sub/surrounds.

Hey, I'll send a PM out your way. Just give me a call, I'll better explain it while I enjoy a cig

halo71

kawizx9r wrote: »

Lol joking, just never heard a pair of 10's or any other vintage Polk's other than SDA's.

haha, I am just the opposite! Well my Dad had a pair of SDA's when I was a kid. But I have never had a pair myself....SDA's that is.

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

haha, I am just the opposite! Well my Dad had a pair of SDA's when I was a kid. But I have never had a pair myself....SDA's that is.

Had a pair of minty SDA 1C's, hell even the boxes+packing foam was mint!

halo71

I wanna thank Freddy! Just got off the phone with him, after 45 minutes. Awesome dude! We pretty much came to the conclusion that I could use this pre in 2.1. And 5.1 was gonna be more involved. lol

Think I am gonna have a "do not crank my speakers to Motley Crue" talk with the wife.:rolleyes: Move the Mirage's to the den with a H&K poweramp (thanks Ken) using the H&K AVR for 5.1. And use the Onkyo pre and M504 in the guitar room for 2 channel with the Monitor 10's and a old Velodyne sub.

kawizx9r

halo71 wrote: »

I wanna thank Freddy! Just got off the phone with him, after 45 minutes. Awesome dude! We pretty much came to the conclusion that I could use this pre in 2.1. And 5.1 was gonna be more involved. lol

Think I am gonna have a "do not crank my speakers to Motley Crue" talk with the wife.:rolleyes: Move the Mirage's to the den with a H&K poweramp (thanks Ken) using the H&K AVR for 5.1. And use the Onkyo pre and M504 in the guitar room for 2 channel with the Monitor 10's and a old Velodyne sub.

Thanks bro, it was good talking to ya man!

Lol, you should get her a boombox :eek: but I don't think that'd go too well! Now to find myself a pair of Monitor 10's......hmmm

concealer404

Daisy chain the speaker wires.