SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Adapter

Toolfan66

SVS SoundPath Speaker Level Subwoofer Adapter.

So I received my SB16 Subs a couple weeks ago, I had contacted Cary to see if it was safe to plug the subs into the open RCA jacks since I’m using XLR’s to the amps, I was told there would be no issues.
Well there were no issues using them mechanically, but on a lot of material I could hear the timing was off, I was loving the extra bass, but I knew something wasn’t right.
I had been talking to Trey behind the scenes, and he suggested using this adapter.
Well I received it this week, and what a night and day difference, I realized that not only was the timing off, but it was actually messing with the imaging , slightly blurring it.
This adapter was everything I needed, but really they should just put the option back on their subwoofers..
I’m happy nonetheless..

Here is a few pics, I made a mounting bracket for it to mount on the back of my rack..

Toolfan66

Toolfan66

Toolfan66

VR3

Glad it all worked out!

Looks like good quality resistors inside too!

F1nut

I've been saying for years that speaker level is best. I even told SVS that. They told me it makes no difference...ha, you bet your a$$ it does.

VR3

Rca parallel out truly does something to the sound, speaker level is the way

Toolfan66

I played some vinyl this morning, and everything is tight and full, I’m loving the addition of subwoofers in the mix of my two channel system, I actually wish I had done it sooner, the wife also agrees 😎

Joey_V

Interesting.

treitz3

Here is the skinny....

There are folks who are correct in their assessment here. No doubt. But.... (and yes, there is a but)

It depends. Hear me out....

If you have a pre-amplifier with a certain topology? ABSOLUTELY, it will reduce your volume by half (and possibly add more noise).

Other Pre-amplifiers that have differing topologies? Well, they may or may not degrade the sound.

That said, certain components have, what they call, "line through". This means that the signal is not degraded and that the pure signal is passed through uncompromised.

That said, I do NOT care to debate this. I am just throwing it out there. Folks have heard my system and they have heard what I am talking about. I have heard the degradation before. I have heard the halving of the signal. Been there, done that. There is more out there....That's all I am saying. FWIW.

Tom

F1nut

Halving of the signal by using line level? Never heard of that one.

The difference between using line level and speaker level is the timing.

VR3

A line thru is simply a parallel connection. There is no circuit or anything special to it.



Kw750 thru put, would be no different than a second set of pre outs in a preamp

treitz3

What I am saying is that while I have heard degradation through some of the (not all of the) pre-amplifiers that have come and gone, there is no degradation when using the line outs on the KW -750.

It sounds the same, whether you use it or not.

If the pre has two outputs (line level), I thought that sometimes it halves the signal. I could very well be incorrect on that one. On certain press, when you use both, it screws up the sound.

I don't detect any timing issues using line out, at least the way I have it configured.

Tom

VR3

Ultimately what I am saying is that the thru puts on the amplifier and the second set of main outs on the preamp are one in the same. There is no difference if you were to draw them out on paper, they just reside in different components.

Like all things, it boils down to the system what works and doesn't.

WagnerRC

Thanks for the info. Just ordered one. much appreciated for the info.

F1nut

VR3 wrote: »

Ultimately what I am saying is that the thru puts on the amplifier and the second set of main outs on the preamp are one in the same. There is no difference if you were to draw them out on paper, they just reside in different components.

Like all things, it boils down to the system what works and doesn't.

They are the same coming out of the pre amp, but the signal then passes through the amplifier and therefore the timing/sonic signature are different.

F1nut

Here's one person's explanation.

The speaker (load) determines the phase of the signal out of the amp and therefore going to the sub.
The sub filter-amp alters phase very little.
Hence, speaker and sub in phase, always.
The sub tracks the speakers.

VR3

It's the same.

The rca preamp outs and the rca outputs on the musical fidelity amplifiers are wired exactly the same way. Parallel to the primary outputs.

I am not referencing the svs device from the op

F1nut

I'll agree to disagree.

VR3

Please see attached drawing and please explain how using any of these connections differs from the other as I simply dont understand how there could possibly be a different outcome.

Thank you

F1nut

See post 4 up for example.

F1nut

Dan has a lot of experience with the subject matter.

I can clear the dust here which is easy to do IF you actually have experience setting up subwoofer in different rooms.
As you mentioned a subwoofer is an integration into ones living space. It pressurizes the space to recreate bass. The issue usually one doesn't have the proper amount of space to complete lower frequencies. So what you end up with is delayed signals which slap you after they bounce around in the room or intill completion of the wave.

So with all that being said if your running a 2 channel system you should strongly consider High level inputs which is speaker level. Line level will also work but your missing something most on the internet without true experience do. It's the interaction with the way the given amp your using reacts to your speakers. By placing the subwoofer in line your now taking sonic ques from the amp not just the source line level signal. The amp has it's own ability to be dynamic and recreating those peaks can be very different with a line level signal going to the amp and to the subwoofer. But with using speaker level the internal amp of the subwoofer tracks the dynamics of the amp and better blends with the main channel speakers. This is why many will claim hearing a sonic difference for the better using high level over using line level out of the preamp.
Without experiencing this yourself, this is all nonsense I'm babbling to the untrained.

VR3

Still doesnt make sense so we will have to agree to disagree. :-D

Just to hammer this further because I am a glutten for punishment.

If I were to hook up a set of speakers and then rca cables between the preamp and the amplifier, are you stating I will be able to pull different measurements from each the preamp rca jacks and the amplifier rca jacks? That these daisy chained connections are acting independently of each other? (over a standard 1 meter cable).

F1nut

I have no idea.

F1nut

Ok, so I see the kW750 has an loop output, which means the pre amp signal is not going through the amp and therefore the sub would be getting it's signal/timing/sonic signature from the pre amp.