preamplifier after preamplifier?

You just need a postamplifier and you are all dome

The one thing I really like with a DCX2496 is I can run Behringer amps with it and they are made for each other. I use up to 3 NU12,000. All the drivers are direct coupled, no crossovers between the power amps and subs.

About 2000 watts @ 8 ohms 4000 @ 4 ohms. I’ve pushed 1 ohm for a while, 2 ohms no problem at all. They have very good cone control, the best I’ve ever seen actually, other than servo.. At 8 ohms. Clear deep solid bass. Those 12K will pump it out. They were about 500.00 each. They are close to 800.00 or more now. The secret is out. :-) I can’t break one. I been trying for over 6 years now..

Regards

Using my Marchand crossover and passive subs, I set the gain on the crossover @ 10am and the mains at 3pm.  Quite a difference.  And I have very efficient speakers. May not help here but it is possible to use high efficiency speakers. 

OP,

In both of your diagrams above you are still putting all of the bass freqs into your main speakers.  Unless you have dual binding posts on your speakers and even then you would be taking out the woofers in the mains entirely.

The passive volume seems a nice work-a-round but see paragraph above.

I have to agree with @daledeee1 that a two-way Marchand electronic cross-over
is the way to go.  They are all custom made in the respect that you chose the 
slope and the cross-over freq.  That way you're not beating up your amp with all
the low bass that the subs are going to play anyway.

If there's more to the story please let us know.

I have no affiliation with Marchand. Just take a peek at their offerings.

www.marchandelec.com

Regards,
barts

I forgot to mention, or ask a question.  The first preamp has gain.  Feeding that to the second preamp, is that too much gain in the end?