Sub wiring question

NuckingFuts
NuckingFuts Posts: 77
edited November 2004 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I have a sub with a wire that has a single 'rca' type connector at the end but since my receiver is old it doesnt have a 'line level' port for a sub. How can I make my "speaker level" jacks on my receiver "line level" so I can plug my sub in?

Thanks in advance!
Post edited by NuckingFuts on
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited October 2004
    Does the sub have high level imputs? As in speaker wire attachments. If so you can run wire from your receiver into the sub high level imputs then out to your main speakers. If the sub doesn't have high levels I'm not sure what to do. Hope that helps a little.... btw what is your sub?
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  • NuckingFuts
    NuckingFuts Posts: 77
    edited October 2004
    Its a little 8" sealed Pinnacle sub that I picked up for virtually nothing. It sounds pretty damn good for its size to. There isnt any other jacks on the sub itself, only gain and polarity knobs.

    Im thinking there's got to be a simple way like a converter box or something for guys with vintage amps who've run into the same problem.
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  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited October 2004
    You would need some sort of step down transformer but I have never heard of one for this purpose.
    The only solution I can see is to use the pre amp outputs on the receiver if it has them or split the line level output of the source to the receiver and the sub. With the latter method you would have to manually adjust the volume on the sub.
    Graham
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  • NuckingFuts
    NuckingFuts Posts: 77
    edited October 2004
    Man, I was hopin this was a common problem and there was a simple solution.:(
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited October 2004
    It might be more benifical for you to just buy a new subwoofer. This option sucks if you are not wanting to spend the money on a different speaker but it seems like the only other option is to do what gatemplin suggested which will be a pain in the arse having to constantly adjust the sub level according to the level of your speakers. Well maybe someone knows of something that might work.
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  • LittleCar_w/12s
    LittleCar_w/12s Posts: 568
    edited October 2004
    well.. there is a common solution to this, but it is usually for car audio... it's a little box that converts speaker level to signal level.. should work for you, cheap too. (I hate to say this...) Try a car shop :( Though even I hate most of them.
    ___________________________
    Total cost of materials: Going up...
    Time spent: Countless Hours...
    Cranking the system, having it quiet outside the car, and sound that takes the rear-view off inside: PRICELESS

    For some things in life, you pay others to do it... For a masterpeice, do it yourself.
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited October 2004
    Don't you have to have an external power source for the speaker level to in-line converter(12V for the car converter)?

    Just a logistical question when you look for one.
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • NuckingFuts
    NuckingFuts Posts: 77
    edited October 2004
    I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tips!
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  • LittleCar_w/12s
    LittleCar_w/12s Posts: 568
    edited October 2004
    I think it's a standalone unit.. either a transformer inside or a resistor network, probably transformer though.
    ___________________________
    Total cost of materials: Going up...
    Time spent: Countless Hours...
    Cranking the system, having it quiet outside the car, and sound that takes the rear-view off inside: PRICELESS

    For some things in life, you pay others to do it... For a masterpeice, do it yourself.
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    NF,
    I am sure you could join your receiver's Tape-outs together and run that combined signal to your sub. Only issue would be that since "Tape Outs" are fixed level outputs you would have to manually adjust the sub's volume any time you changed the receiver's.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • NuckingFuts
    NuckingFuts Posts: 77
    edited October 2004
    I think I have an rca 2-into-1 adaptor for my digital 8track.....I'll let you know if it works tomorrow.

    :D
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  • sowen010599
    sowen010599 Posts: 343
    edited October 2004
    Radio Shack has an adapter that takes speaker level outputs and converts them to a line-level signal. You just wire it in between your receiver and speakers. It is primarily for car-audio, so it requires 12v DC. Radio Shack can fix you up with a 12 volt AC/DC adapter.
    Go BIG or go home!
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Originally posted by anonymouse
    My suggestion would be to hook up the sub to just one of the channels. Not perfect, but a cheap solution till you upgrade. If you are handy with electronics, you could design a small summation circuit with an opamp that would sum the left and right channels.
    Good cautions, anon...

    I am used to models I have that bypass all pre-amp processing in creating a tape out feed, but "your results may vary" is a wise add-on...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • NuckingFuts
    NuckingFuts Posts: 77
    edited November 2004
    Just wanted to get back to everyone and report that I found a solution to my sub problem.

    Went to the local electronic store (Fry's electronics) were they sell car audio components. I found a "Hi/Lo line level adaptor for $10 and it works perfect. There is 2 sets of +/- jacks on one side and L/R RCA jacks on the other side essentially taking a speaker level input and reducing the signal to a line level output. The converter is passive so it does not need an external power source.

    Hope this info can help someone else in the future:D
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited November 2004
    How does it sound? When I used one in my car, it picked up a lot of interference(engine noise and such). Since you are in a house though, you probably won't have much of a problem.

    Enjoy your new system.
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • NuckingFuts
    NuckingFuts Posts: 77
    edited November 2004
    Its not perfect but its good enough to get me by until I can spring for another receiver. I have to turn the sub's frequency way down cuz the higher frequencies reveal a very subtle hum. This is ok with me since I only want the sub hitting the lowest range of frequencies to compliment my mains.

    There were higher end converters that ran as much as $100 which Im willing to bet would have higher quality electronics to eliminate any feedback.

    Lets just say $10 is worth the experiment:D
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