Sub use with analog

NeilGabriel
NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
I use the multichannel analog inputs for my BDP.

As a general matter, is there any issue with connecting a sub when you aren't using digital inputs?

I see in the receiver set up that there are sub settings in the multichannel mode.

thanks
Post edited by NeilGabriel on

Comments

  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited November 2010
    Same question asked differently: if you are using mutlichannel analog outputs from OPPO BDP-83, how do you handle input for sub? Can you run the sub out from BDP directly into sub...or does it have to run through processor....PSW 505

    would run the sub analog into the inputs on the receiver and then run all speaker outputs into the sub speaker connects and use sub controls?
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    edited November 2010
    I would imagine you have more ways to adjust the sub through a processor/AVR than just the BDP. Plus if your sub is only hooked up to the BDP, it will become useless when playing a CDP or other source.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited November 2010
    I have the same player & use the analog out also. Connect the multi-channel cables from the BDP-83 into your receiver. Then connect the sub cable from your AVR's sub out into the LFE on the sub. This gives you great control with both movies & music. Works great for me.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited November 2010
    what about running the mains through the xover of your sub?
    I'm not sure what mains you have, but this sounds like the best option to me given your description. And depending on whats driving your mains, it could actually make them perform better by letting your sub do the grunt work.
    design is where science and art break even.
  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited November 2010
    I have the same player & use the analog out also. Connect the multi-channel cables from the BDP-83 into your receiver. Then connect the sub cable from your AVR's sub out into the LFE on the sub. This gives you great control with both movies & music. Works great for me.

    That is what I did and I had sub-bass from digital input but not analog...maybe I did not adjust volume enough...or setup for multichannel sources.....will double check this....

    I also wondered about using the sub's crossover and running fronts into sub and then into speakers....the Rotel receiver seems short on sub options....maybe that is all that is needed.....set cross over at 100 hz and down from there in 10 or 20 hz increments...

    ng
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited November 2010
    Do not use LFE & speaker connections...a big no-no. Start with the AVR's XO at 80Hz with fronts set to small & set subs internal XO at 100-120. This is a good starting point & will probably give you the best results.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited November 2010
    should have the sub saturday and see how all this makes sense when I am looking at the back of the sub!
  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited November 2010
    Do not use LFE & speaker connections...a big no-no. Start with the AVR's XO at 80Hz with fronts set to small & set subs internal XO at 100-120. This is a good starting point & will probably give you the best results.

    I definitely wasn't suggesting to use both. I'm saying do not use the LFE at all. LFE is digital only channel. It would be the same as asking why your surrounds werent working when playing a record. I wouldnt use the sub pre-out on the receiver at all.

    If it were me I'd set your fronts as large, run your speaker cables to the sub's xover, and then from the sub's xover to the speakers. This way you have control over the slope and easy analog adjustment on the back of the sub. I find AVR's adjustments cumbersome and often their settings not to my liking.
    design is where science and art break even.
  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited November 2010
    should have the sub saturday and see how all this makes sense when I am looking at the back of the sub!

    on the back of the sub you will find 4 sets of binding posts. These are there if youd like to utilize the sub's internal crossover. Right and left ins and outs. what happens when you utilize this is the receiver will not see the subwoofer at all, which is ideal in my mind. It sends the full signall off the mains, which you have routed through your sub. The sub then sends everything above your determined crossover point to the main speakers and plays everything below that point.
    design is where science and art break even.
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited November 2010
    newrival wrote: »
    I definitely wasn't suggesting to use both. I'm saying do not use the LFE at all. LFE is digital only channel. It would be the same as asking why your surrounds werent working when playing a record. I wouldnt use the sub pre-out on the receiver at all.

    If it were me I'd set your fronts as large, run your speaker cables to the sub's xover, and then from the sub's xover to the speakers. This way you have control over the slope and easy analog adjustment on the back of the sub. I find AVR's adjustments cumbersome and often their settings not to my liking.

    Hmmm...I wonder if NAD does things differently because my T765 AVR most certainly sends the sub signal for HT & two channel audio. Using the AVR's sub out simplifies matters & gives excellent results. Not too many actually recommend using the speaker input/output connection anymore. To each his own though.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited November 2010
    Yes, youre right, receivers will send bass on 2ch or analog, UNLESS you receiver is set up to ONLY send the digital LFE channel to the sub. As I said you can have the AVR do the xover work and send the appropriate signal to the appropriate channels, even in analog. However, you are subject to the cumbersome controls of your AVR and may not have many options in slope, xover, and eq.
    As I was saying, I personally like to send the full signal to the speakers and use the analog xover in the sub. Some people prefer the receiver do everything. I dont. I prefer to use a potentiometer over a virtual slider on the control menu. I've achieved better results that way, and its something easy for the OP to try on his own.

    I would submit that the reason fewer people do this is that AVR's try to automate the whole process. My assertion, however, is that the AVR's settings are not often ideal.
    design is where science and art break even.