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REL subs with Rowland Amplifiers

I'm having issues connecting my REL Carbon limited subwoofer to my Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier via the high-level input. I connected my sub according to REL's instructions...yellow lead to positive on one channel, red lead to positive on the other channel, and floating the black wire(ground). I get minimum output when connected according to the instructions. When I use the low level input, the output is sufficient and the sub sounds great. Per my conversation with Jeff Rowland I need to ground the black wire by loosening a screw on the amplifier and connecting the black wire, but if it isn't properly grounded I may damage my amplifier. Is there anyone that owns a REL with Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier or other balanced differential amplifier? If so, how do you connect your REL via the high-level input. Is there an easier way to ground the wire than unscrewing the screw on my amplifier. I just don't want to unscrew the screw and prefer another method of grounding the sub.   
ricred1
ricred1 OP
2,021 posts
 
I'm just so surprised that the compatibility problem between REL and Jeff Rowland amplifiers and other balanced differential amplifiers isn't well documented.

lalitk,
Thanks so much for your assistance.

daveyf,
" Not sure I would want to loosen a screw of the chassis as Jeff suggests." I know it sounds trivial to some, but I couldn't agree more and I'm not going to loosen any screw. I may contact Jeff Rowland and ask about adding a ground connection on the chassis. 
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,871 posts
 
 @ricred1  I’m not so sure that the compatibility issue with REL subs and balanced differential amps isn’t well documented. There are quite a few posts on this forum and others about the issue. REL themselves now has a helpful video on their web site about hook up protocol. 
I run dual REL subs with my Jadis mono blocks, there were also some issues to hooking up those as well. I ended up having two connector cables custom made by Signal cable. Took me months to get the blend correct, and last night I noticed that my left subwoofer seems to put out a lot less output than my right...not sure why this is the case, but more experimenting to find out what’s going on. Sometimes these subs can be a royal PITA. 
ricred1 OP
2,021 posts
 
daveyf and almarg PM sent
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
PM answered.

Best regards,
-- Al

ricred1 OP
2,021 posts
 
Although I'm frustrated with the inability to at least try the high-level input, I ordered a second REL Carbon limited that I should have on Monday. The addition of a single REL has increased my enjoyment of my 2-channel system; so I figure dual subs will be better. I reached out to REL again today in hopes that someone can provide a simple way to use the high-level input without damaging my amplifier or sub. Hopefully someone from REL will contact me tomorrow. 
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