Splitting high level outputs

[jtvang125]

Would there be any difference to the SQ of my bookshelf speakers if I ran the outputs from my small 100Wx2 class d amp to my powered sub first? It has high level In and Out. At the moment I'm splitting the low level out from my PC's soundcard and it's working fine, The problem is I can control the volume of the bookshelf speakers using the volume knob on the amp but can't for the sub. Having to adjust two volume levels gets old real quick.

 

[giantpandaman2]

There will be a minor drop in quality since analog separation of frequencies post-digital to analog conversion is never as good as digital separation at the decode, which is what the sound card does.

Will it be audible? Hard to say. Depends on how well built the subwoofer is, the quality of the speakers, quality of source, etc.

My guess without knowing any of the particulars? It's probably not audible. Why not try it and find out? It's not like a few speaker cables are that expensive.

 

[razel]

'm trying to orient myself with how your setup is like. High level is usually referred to as speaker level. Low level is RCA. Unless you meant low level meaning sub frequencies as RCA and high level is frequencies above sub. So is it:

Soundcard -> split RCA -> sub & amp

If so you're wanting:

Soundcard -> RCA -> amp
amp -> speaker level -> sub

If so then your sub is really just converting those speaker level frequencies to line out then amplifying it. Since it's only sub frequencies you won't be able to hear the added distortion.

I would check to see if there is a 'record out' RCA on your amp. Those are adjusted RCA outputs after the volume control. Best of luck.

 

[giantpandaman2]

'm trying to orient myself with how your setup is like. High level is usually referred to as speaker level. Low level is RCA. Unless you meant low level meaning sub frequencies as RCA and high level is frequencies above sub. So is it:

Soundcard -> split RCA -> sub & amp

If so you're wanting:

Soundcard -> RCA -> amp
amp -> speaker level -> sub

If so then your sub is really just converting those speaker level frequencies to line out then amplifying it. Since it's only sub frequencies you won't be able to hear the added distortion.

I would check to see if there is a 'record out' RCA on your amp. Those are adjusted RCA outputs after the volume control. Best of luck.

Some subs take the speaker level L/R inputs from the amp, yank the low end frequencies, then send the rest off to the speakers. That's what he's referring to. It's how older receivers worked before the .1 channels were created.

 

[razel]

Yes I'm familiar with that setup too, what I was referrering to as well with the amp -> speaker level -> sub since he mentions a powered sub. That's where speaker level gets converted to RCA in the sub amp which is what I assume he's doing, since he says he's splitting the RCA, but he hasn't replied yet.