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Sub Woofer hook up with McIntosh MC 501

I'm currently thinking about purchasing a pair of subwoofers and run in stereo. I own a pair of McIntosh MC-501 monoblocks. The Mac's have 8,4,and 2 ohm connections, I run my speakers on the 4ohm taps, can I run a powered sub off the 2ohm taps without doing any harm. I would very much appreciate some help with this issue. Thanks
mmitch7711
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Run RCA's to your subs, don't use speaker cables to them.
mmitch7711 OP
72 posts
 
I already run xlr's to the input on the amp for the pre-amp you can only run one input line, the mac is switchable between xlr and rca this allows you to run only one input at a time.
aball
2,018 posts
 
Active subwoofers accept line-level inputs so you could run the connections from your preamp instead of your amps. If you insist on passive subs, you may need another amp just for them.

I have also heard of people running a sub off the speakers. I am not sure what that would do to the amplifier load however...not that 501s would really notice if the connection is in parallel but... Personally, I wouldn't go with this option.

Arthur
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
If only one set of outputs at a time are valid with your preamp you could change your preamp, or get a Y-Cable that plugs into your preamp or get a custom Y cable (my friend had this option done so he could biamp with 2 amplifiers) if you using RCA's Monster makes a single solid 1 into 2 adpaters (audio advisor sells them) I use to use these so I could run my single sub output to two subs.

I would not try running both off your amp.. only bad things could happen..
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