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A technical question for this community

I have a second system that uses a true balanced stereo amplifier and have an M&K active subwoofer,  this setup currently is not being used in balanced mode. The amp instructions state you must use caution when using an active device like a sub because it may use a common ground which could cause damage to the amp. I want to use the high level inputs on this subwoofer via speaker wire "in and out". Will this create a problem and if so wouldn't the amp go into protection mode if the sub does have a common ground? M&K is no longer in business and I don't have an owners manual for it. Thanks for any input.
phd

Showing 2 responses by phd

phd OP
1,281 posts
 
Hi Almarg, the sub has a two prong power plug however the amp uses a three prong plug, maybe I'm ok there as you mentioned, thank you for that.

Yes I would be connecting  the speaker wires coming from the amp to the high level inputs of the sub and then the speaker wires would be connected to the high level ouputs of the sub.

On the other question, let me clarify, although the amp and preamp are a  balanced design, it is not being used in  balanced mode but just using the rca outputs of preamp to the rca inputs of the amp. I am not using the balanced feature of either the preamp or power amp. If this makes a difference.

I don't know if the amp manufacturer is making a warning to the connection of high level (speaker wires) or low level (rca) input connections to a sub, maybe either can pose a problem if the sub has a common ground.
phd OP
1,281 posts
 
Almarg, maybe the manufacturer is refering to hooking up a device that  grounds its negative wires of the left and right channels to the chassis, would be a problem for a balanced amplifier. I'm just guessing.
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