2. home-theater
  3. 1346603932

connecting a sub to a 2-channel system

My sister is coming for a visit. she is a budding audiophile and we will be having a listening session in front of my 2-channel rig. She is still very much a bass-head, and I want to hook my HSU VTF MkII sub into my 2-channel system, so I can show her what it sounds like with and without the big-booty-bass. My question is this: how to best hook the sub into the 2-channel system? My current thinking is to use a Y-adapter on a single channel coming out of either the pre or the DAC, then use the Audioquest sub-x cable to the HSU's LFE input. one channel from the DAC would be fixed, using a single channel from the pre would be variable. Thoughts? Thanks in advance. Keep in mind this is not a permanent addition...!
realremo
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
If the HSU has speaker inputs, you can use to speaker taps from your amp. I find this to be an easier blend since sub and speakers see the same signal. It's how mine is hooked up.
realremo OP
460 posts
 
I think that's how I hooked up the HSU to my Yami receiver back in "the day" (2009). The Yamaha had A/B speaker connections tho, the Rotel does not, so I'd have to wire both sets of speaker cable (quad 22l2s and the sub) into the same single pair of amp connections? I think that's possible, was planning on "dual wiring" the quads anyway. I use Audioquest type 4 cable, and there is still room inside the AQ bannana plugs for another twist of copper, but I would have to get longer runs of wire for the sub, which will go in the corner. You don't think the Y adapter trick would work?
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
I'm not a "y" adapter fan, but in some cases they work without sonic degrading.
erikt
269 posts
 
I would not use the LFE input on the HSU if you are connecting it from the pre-outs of your DAC or Preamp.

The LFE input would bypass the crossover control on the sub since the LFE input on the sub assumes the source component you are connecting the sub to is doing bass management.

Since you are connecting the sub to an 'old school' 2-channel system, you'd want to connect both the left and right pre-outs to the left and right RCA inputs or use the speaker cable connections.

This way you can use the crossover control to set the cut off frequency of the sub so that it 'blends' with your main speakers.
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