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REL Subs with H2O Amplifiers

I currently use H2O's Signature 250M (Mono) amplifiers in my 2-channel system.

I have a REL Britannia B3 Sub on the way.

In preparing to recieve and set up my REL sub, I was looking at the owner's manual (on line at http://www.sumikoaudio.net/rel/manuals/b_series_manual.pdf )

Having had a REL Strata-II in the past, I had planned to connect the 3 ends (+,+,-) of the Neutrik cable to the terminals on my H2O amps, as I had previously done with my Strata Sub. However, the B3 owner's manual recommends connecting the black ground wire to the preamp when being used with "Differential Output Amplifiers."

Because of the set up in my listening room, (power amps are not near my preamp) spliting up the 3 cables that make up the Neutrik connection will be a headache.

I have contacted Henry at H2O and he is looking into this for me.

In the meantime, is anyone using a REL sub with H2O amps? If so, what wiring configuration are you using? Are you running all 3 wires to the H2O amp, or are you connecting the black (-) to your pre?

From my past experience with a REL sub, I absolutely want the sub to get the signal from the power amps via the Neutrik connection.

Thanks
barrelchief
barrelchief OP
294 posts
 
For anyone that cares; both Sumiko & H2O confirmmed that the REL subs cannot be connected via the power amps
snipes
119 posts
 
I had problems with my H20 and Storm III going directly to the amp in the "usual" fashion. I would highly recommend NOT even attempting to hook it up to the amp. I blew my REL up immediately after hooking up my new H20 and immediatly smelled fried electronics after flipping the amp on and getting a loud pop. I spent quite a bit of time with various people at REL, they even sent out their local representative to take a look and fixed it even though it was out of warranty. They admitted there was a problem with a few of the newer digital style amps, but hadn't gotten to the bottom of the reason why at the time. They suggested that I not hook it up to the amp anymore via the Neutrik connector and planned to adjust their recommended connections going forward. This was shortley after Sumiko bought the company. I took their advise and didn't try it again. Unfortunatly my processor never recovered, somehow the LFE out also got fried at the same time.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
What exactly is a "differential output amplifier"? Which other popular amps are in this category?
barrelchief OP
294 posts
 
Snipes:

Assuming that your Storm III is now connected to your preamp; do you feel that you were able to obtain the same seamless integraton with your main speakers as you would have gotten if you were using the Neutrik connection via your power amps?

I will be setting up my B3 over the weekend and will have no choice but to connect via my preamp.
snipes
119 posts
 
Barrelchief,

It was a month in between blowing the sub up and getting it fixed and hooked back up through the preamp. There was not enough of a difference that I felt like I lost something going the other route. My system has been boxed up for a month or so in anticipation of moving so my memories are a little cloudy at the moment. I remember thinking that it wasn't enough of an issue that I wanted to dump it in favor of something else. I hope this helps.
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