Sub Woofer hook up with McIntosh MC 501

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

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..

Aball
Are you suggesting running a sub off the speakers will do damage? I don't understand where you are going with this.

Has anyone setup their sub to run from your speakers?

Yes Mitch, I think it "could" do damage in certain circumstances. It is all a matter of parallel or series circuits. In the former, you get a big drop in load impedance for the amp. In the latter, you get current sharing issues which can be quite complicated.

I forget where I read about doing it that way - I think it was a thread right here on Agon some time back. Maybe someone who has done it can chime in.

Mmitch: The speaker inputs on The sub are supposed to be used with a direct run from your amp and then run speaker cables from the sub to your speakers.. not two runs from the amplifier (which affects the load) But the first option will really affect sound quality on your main speakers.