Are there any advantages in pairing a power amp with an AV receiver?

[Arkitech]

EDIT:

So here's the situation I have a non-powered sub and I'm thinking of picking up an amp (Integra ADM2.1 - 170 bucks) to power the sub for an inexpensive 5.1 setup. My question is will the amp serve any purpose when I upgrade to a powered sub a few months down the line? Will the extra power help to enchance a home theater setup or music listening?








I'm attempting to connect a non powered sub to a Onkyo receiver that has only a RCA jack for sub inputs.

The back of the sub looks like the following:

To Speakers: Left +/- Right +/-
From Amplifier: Left +/- Right +/-


So in total I have (4) bare wire connections on the back of the sub, is there a way to connect the sub to the reciever? Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Viper GTS]

Nope, you need an amp of some sort.

Either a standalone amp or a powered sub.

The RCA sub connector is a line level sub output (mono).

Though from the sounds of it your sub may have some sort of passthrough built in... Your receiver is unlikely to be able to power it though.

Viper GTS

 

[Heisenberg]

It looks like you should put the sub in between the amp and the speakers.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Heh, I thought this was going to be an issue for you from the other thread.

Do you have any specs on ths sub?

 

[spidey07]

you don't need an amp.

Just run your mains speaker wire to the sub (the from amp part connects to your receiver mains L/R) and the from the sub to your mains (connect sub speakers output to your speakers)

Set your crossover on the sub and tell the receiver you don't have a sub and set your mains to large.

although in all actuality you would probably get better results with a plate amplifier for 100 bucks or get a new sub.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: spidey07
you don't need an amp.

Just run your mains speaker wire to the sup and the from the sub to your mains.

Set your crossover on the sub and tell the receiver you don't have a sub and set your mains to large.

although in all actuality you would probably get better results with a plate amplifier for 100 bucks or get a new sub.

Yup with the receiver equipped to handle crossover & a dedicated sub output a dedicated amp or a powered sub is the way to go.

Using that sub will allow you to use your sub for frequencies sent to two of your channels. Use the dedicated sub output & get what's supposed to be there.

Viper GTS

 

[melchoir]

Use the barewire outputs for the speakers on your reciever (left +/- and right +/-) directly to the sub's barewire input, then on the sub use the "To Speakers Left +/- and right +/-) that you described.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: spidey07
you don't need an amp.

Just run your mains speaker wire to the sup and the from the sub to your mains.

Set your crossover on the sub and tell the receiver you don't have a sub and set your mains to large.

although in all actuality you would probably get better results with a plate amplifier for 100 bucks or get a new sub.

Yup with the receiver equipped to handle crossover & a dedicated sub output a dedicated amp or a powered sub is the way to go.

Viper GTS

Actually I prefer to run subs this way for music and 2-channel systems.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Actually I prefer to run subs this way for music and 2-channel systems.

For a surround system though that's not ideal.

Viper GTS

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: spidey07
Actually I prefer to run subs this way for music and 2-channel systems.

For a surround system though that's not ideal.

Viper GTS

no sh!t sherlock.

 

[Arkitech]

ah well, looks like I'll have to find another to use


I have an old Cambridge Soundworks subwoofer from my old PC setup, if I can find the power adapter for it I'll try using that instead.

 

[MisterJackson]

Back in the day I had a similar problem with an unpowered sub and my new reciever. What I did was take and old Kenwood stereo reciever and run the sub out from my H/T JVC reciever to the CD in on the Kenwood stereo reciever (you just need an rca splitter to do it). Then wired the sub speaker wire to the Kenwood reciever. Wham, instant powered sub. Sounded pretty good too! Oh yeah, if you go this route, turn the treble all the way down, and the bass all of the way up if the reciever has no equalizer.

 

[thomsbrain]

connect speaker wires from the receiver to the sub's "from amplifer" jacks. connect a second set of speaker cables from the sub's "to speakers" jack to the speakers.

it's as simple as that.

 

[Arkitech]

up with a new topic

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
up with a new topic

Is this sub worth anything?

You can get a decent sub for the price that amp would be
Dayton 12"

A sub amp could be useful though later on if you wanted to get another unpowered sub like SVS's CS line.

Have you tried hooking up the sub between the speakers and your receiver yet to try to power it with your receiver?

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
up with a new topic

Is this sub worth anything?

You can get a decent sub for the price that amp would be (dayton 12"">http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-634</a>

A sub amp could be useful though later on if you wanted to get another unpowered sub like SVS's CS line.

Have you tried hooking up the sub between the speakers and your receiver yet to try to power it with your receiver?

The sub is really a cheap one (KLH 9900) but I'm trying to put off purchasing new speakers until next year. I just thought that if I could somehow make use of an extra amp with my receiver it might be worth the purchase. But if not I may just buy a powered sub.

I saw that Dayton amp earlier, the guys over at AVS forums seem to really like it. I just wish I could find it locally for that price, I generally don't like to purchase electronics/av products over the web. If I ever have to return something I'll get stuck with shipping and restocking fees, plus nothing beats instant gratification of buying something in store and having it right away.


I did'nt try hooking the sub up yet, from the consensus here I'll lose a lot of the low frequency range. But then again I guess it does'nt cost me anything to try it out, first thing tomorrow I think I'll give it a shot.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
up with a new topic

Is this sub worth anything?

You can get a decent sub for the price that amp would be (dayton 12"">http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-634</a>

A sub amp could be useful though later on if you wanted to get another unpowered sub like SVS's CS line.

Have you tried hooking up the sub between the speakers and your receiver yet to try to power it with your receiver?

Just out of curiosity what are you running at home? Are you happy with the setup? What's your next purchase down the line?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
up with a new topic

Is this sub worth anything?

You can get a decent sub for the price that amp would be
Dayton 12"

A sub amp could be useful though later on if you wanted to get another unpowered sub like SVS's CS line.

Have you tried hooking up the sub between the speakers and your receiver yet to try to power it with your receiver?

Just out of curiosity what are you running at home? Are you happy with the setup? What's your next purchase down the line?

I have a list in my sig actually, but
Receiver = Pioneer 1014tx floor model = $287
Speakers = AV123 Onix Rocket Ultra HT = $1920
Sub = SVS PB10 = $450

Next up is the receiver being replaced I think. It's doing a good job, but I still think it's the weak point.

I think I got a lot more for my money by getting speakers and sub online rather than paying retail for similar products. You might want to check out what can be had online. There are some mighty nice deals out there.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
up with a new topic

Is this sub worth anything?

You can get a decent sub for the price that amp would be
Dayton 12"

A sub amp could be useful though later on if you wanted to get another unpowered sub like SVS's CS line.

Have you tried hooking up the sub between the speakers and your receiver yet to try to power it with your receiver?

Just out of curiosity what are you running at home? Are you happy with the setup? What's your next purchase down the line?

I have a list in my sig actually, but
Receiver = Pioneer 1014tx floor model = $287
Speakers = AV123 Onix Rocket Ultra HT = $1920
Sub = SVS PB10 = $450

Next up is the receiver being replaced I think. It's doing a good job, but I still think it's the weak point.

I think I got a lot more for my money by getting speakers and sub online rather than paying retail for similar products. You might want to check out what can be had online. There are some mighty nice deals out there.

I just checked out your links, I bow down to your speakers oh lord of audiology.

How are those Rockets when it comes to music? I've read some good things about them but have never heard them in person.

Seems like the majority of audiophiles really dislike Bose, I've read on more than one occasion where people preferred KLH over Bose.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
up with a new topic

Is this sub worth anything?

You can get a decent sub for the price that amp would be
Dayton 12"

A sub amp could be useful though later on if you wanted to get another unpowered sub like SVS's CS line.

Have you tried hooking up the sub between the speakers and your receiver yet to try to power it with your receiver?

The sub is really a cheap one (KLH 9900) but I'm trying to put off purchasing new speakers until next year. I just thought that if I could somehow make use of an extra amp with my receiver it might be worth the purchase. But if not I may just buy a powered sub.

I saw that Dayton amp earlier, the guys over at AVS forums seem to really like it. I just wish I could find it locally for that price, I generally don't like to purchase electronics/av products over the web. If I ever have to return something I'll get stuck with shipping and restocking fees, plus nothing beats instant gratification of buying something in store and having it right away.


I did'nt try hooking the sub up yet, from the consensus here I'll lose a lot of the low frequency range. But then again I guess it does'nt cost me anything to try it out, first thing tomorrow I think I'll give it a shot.

Oh, and another use for an external amp would be if you wanted to give more power to your speakers. If you had speakers that could handle a lot of power and wanted to give them more, you could do that if your receiver had pre-outs.

I think getting a powered sub at this point would be a better option for you though... or hold off until you can buy a better sub and not spend money on something that you're not really going to need when you get a different sub.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
up with a new topic

Is this sub worth anything?

You can get a decent sub for the price that amp would be
Dayton 12"

A sub amp could be useful though later on if you wanted to get another unpowered sub like SVS's CS line.

Have you tried hooking up the sub between the speakers and your receiver yet to try to power it with your receiver?

Just out of curiosity what are you running at home? Are you happy with the setup? What's your next purchase down the line?

I have a list in my sig actually, but
Receiver = Pioneer 1014tx floor model = $287
Speakers = AV123 Onix Rocket Ultra HT = $1920
Sub = SVS PB10 = $450

Next up is the receiver being replaced I think. It's doing a good job, but I still think it's the weak point.

I think I got a lot more for my money by getting speakers and sub online rather than paying retail for similar products. You might want to check out what can be had online. There are some mighty nice deals out there.

I just checked out your links, I bow down to your speakers oh lord of audiology.

How are those Rockets when it comes to music? I've read some good things about them but have never heard them in person.

Seems like the majority of audiophiles really dislike Bose, I've read on more than one occasion where people preferred KLH over Bose.

I really like them. I know there are some guys here that make mine look pretty crappy though. If I go over to AVSforum I have a pretty basic set

It's kind of hard to get an audition of online speakers. Helps keep the cost down that there aren't a lot of places out there with people employed to sell them though etc.
If you want to hear them, you could set up an audition through "audioenvy" or start a thread over at the AV123 forum.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
up with a new topic

Is this sub worth anything?

You can get a decent sub for the price that amp would be
Dayton 12"

A sub amp could be useful though later on if you wanted to get another unpowered sub like SVS's CS line.

Have you tried hooking up the sub between the speakers and your receiver yet to try to power it with your receiver?

The sub is really a cheap one (KLH 9900) but I'm trying to put off purchasing new speakers until next year. I just thought that if I could somehow make use of an extra amp with my receiver it might be worth the purchase. But if not I may just buy a powered sub.

I saw that Dayton amp earlier, the guys over at AVS forums seem to really like it. I just wish I could find it locally for that price, I generally don't like to purchase electronics/av products over the web. If I ever have to return something I'll get stuck with shipping and restocking fees, plus nothing beats instant gratification of buying something in store and having it right away.


I did'nt try hooking the sub up yet, from the consensus here I'll lose a lot of the low frequency range. But then again I guess it does'nt cost me anything to try it out, first thing tomorrow I think I'll give it a shot.

Oh, and another use for an external amp would be if you wanted to give more power to your speakers. If you had speakers that could handle a lot of power and wanted to give them more, you could do that if your receiver had pre-outs.

I think getting a powered sub at this point would be a better option for you though... or hold off until you can buy a better sub and not spend money on something that you're not really going to need when you get a different sub.

That's probably good advice, I think tomorrow I'm going to check around and see if I can find someone with a similar price on that Dayton from Parts Express.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
That's probably good advice, I think tomorrow I'm going to check around and see if I can find someone with a similar price on that Dayton from Parts Express.

I'm not sure what you mean...

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
That's probably good advice, I think tomorrow I'm going to check around and see if I can find someone with a similar price on that Dayton from Parts Express.

I'm not sure what you mean...

I'm going to take your advice and go for the Dayton sub, I've read tons of good reviews on them. I just want to find it locally if I can for the same price that Parts Express sells them for (or close to it).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Arkitech
That's probably good advice, I think tomorrow I'm going to check around and see if I can find someone with a similar price on that Dayton from Parts Express.

I'm not sure what you mean...

I'm going to take your advice and go for the Dayton sub, I've read tons of good reviews on them. I just want to find it locally if I can for the same price that Parts Express sells them for (or close to it).

Oh... I didn't know if those were sold locally. Good luck!