How to hook up subwoofer to analog amp

Jcksnssn
Jcksnssn Posts: 1
edited February 2013 in Troubleshooting
I am thinking about getting a subwoofer (the 505 was recommended) but am not sure how to hook it up to my old Adcom amp. The preamp and amp are old enough to not have any digital connections at all and no subwoofer output (but does have multiple sets of speaker outputs). I've been told this is an easy task and that it is a very tricky task. Which is it? This newbie needs help before she plunks down her limited funds. Thx.
Post edited by Jcksnssn on
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited January 2013
    Hello Jcksnssn,
    Welcome to Polk's forum. You'll have two main ways of connecting the sub. One would be to run a second set of RCA cables from the preamp's main right and left outputs to the corresponding right and left line level inputs on the sub's input plate. The second method would be to run another set of speaker wires from the amplifier's right and left speaker level connections to the corresponding right and left speaker level inputs on the sub's input plate. There is some evidence that the second method might sound a bit better, but either one will give fine results.
    Cheers, Ken
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  • DracoAmericanus
    DracoAmericanus Posts: 112
    edited February 2013
    the advantage of the second option is the volume will change with the main speakers as the same time, in your case i could try the second option
    There is no cure....
    Luxman M117, SDA SRS 2.3, rear monitor 10, back rear bose 4.2, valodyne sub and 2 Onkyo m-504 amps Onkyo TX-NR709
    8mm, 7.62x39mm
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited February 2013
    my preamp has two sets of pre-outs... i use the second set to run RCA sub cables to the line level RCA inputs of my sub... basically what Kenneth is saying, i think. volume is controlled by the preamp, and changes with the mains just fine.
    Polk Lsi9
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    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited February 2013
    11tsteve wrote: »
    my preamp has two sets of pre-outs... i use the second set to run RCA sub cables to the line level RCA inputs of my sub... basically what Kenneth is saying, i think. volume is controlled by the preamp, and changes with the mains just fine.

    Thats how I do mine as well.
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
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