XLR/RCA dilemma

Can't you use a REL sub that has the Neutrik connector with speaker-level connectors to your amp? That is what I have always used when I have had Ayre + sub in my system. 

I just bought a used Bryston 10B with XLR.  My only complaint with the LS50s has been what seems a bit of bass boom that I didn't notice before I installed the preamp and went full range to them.

db

Bob,

I think it's a Bryston 10B.  I paid $1K for it.  The interaction with the seller has been very nice.  Got a note from Charles Hansen telling me he prefers to avoid electronic processing of signals above 100 Hz.  I'll try the crossover at 100 Hz.  

db

"With 5-series Ayre components, the idea of running balanced from disc player through preamp to amp is appealing, but it doesn't provide for bass management."

If you are looking to take extremely high quality, near state of the art gear, and turn it into an aspiring mid fi system, this is exactly how you do it. All I can say is that if you are looking for advice like you're getting now, just go to Best Buy. Charles is not going to get too involved and take part in an argument like this. I can't speak for him, but I'm pretty sure he's tired of getting into debates like this. If I were in your position, I would be more inclined to seek info from people that own and use the same type of gear you have.

"Personally I would retain the Ayre purity using balanced connections and finding a better way. I have an all Ayre system balanced from cartridge/CD player through amp and am very satisfied."

I agree. Bass management is for HT systems. There's a reason that no one with the level of gear you have uses it. For best results, you need to do it yourself.

When we developed the MP-1 back in the late 1980s, there was still a lot of single-ended stuff around, so we set it up with SE recording outputs and SE monitor inputs, despite the preamp being otherwise fully differential and balanced from input to output (and was the first such preamp).

We've often run into a similar issue with owners of Merlin loudspeakers. The Merlin uses the BAM, which an external bass EQ unit. We usually have the customer run the BAM on one of the Monitor loops and that seems to work quite well.

With a preamp such as this you could run balanced from all your sources and balanced to the power amplifiers and simply hook up the existing BMC.