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Can you help shed some light on how you best play 2 channel music with the Swarm system? I understand playing HT you can connect to the processor LFE - but how to best play 2 channel?
Currently I play my 2 channel using the Benchmark DAC as preamp powered by Simaudio W5 amp driving VR4 speakers."
Hi ghulamr,
The supplied class AB amp for the Swarm has a single unbalanced rca input for LFE and separate L+R rca inputs for connecting the outputs of a preamp or your Benchmark DAC.
I'm semi-familiar with Benchmark DACs and believe most models have both XLR and rca L+R outputs. I'm not certain whether your model has both but I'll assume it does until you tell me otherwise.
I know the Simaudio W5 amps usually have 2 sets of rca inputs, one istandard set and one set with inverted phase.
If the above is accurate, you're likely already using the Benchmark's rca outputs to connect to your amp so there would be 2 options:
Option#1: Use the Benchmark's XLR outputs and connect to the Swarm amp using either a pair of cables with XLR connections on one end and rca connectors on the other or use XLR to female rca jack adapters and connect to the Swarm amp using a pair of rca cables.
Option#2: Use the Benchmark's rca outputs and use 2 rca y-adapters (male rca plug to two rca jacks) with one connected to the right channel output and one to the left channel output. Then use pairs of rca cables to reconnect the amp and connect to the Swarm amp.
I'm glad you posted again and haven't ruled out the Swarm just yet. I can directly relate to your search since I was searching about 4 years ago for the same thing; very good bass response in my system that integrates seamlessly with my main speakers, capable of being fast and articulate enough for music while still being powerful and dynamic enough for both music and ht content.
I know the Swarm may be a bit more expensive than you were expecting to pay for really good bass response in your system/room because, again, I initially felt the exact same way. When I began my search I recall thinking I'd probably wind up buying 1 of the several newer self-powered subs then on the market, experiment with it for a few weeks and return it if it didn't work out well. If it did work well, I could always try a 2nd one and determine if that performed even better.
However, I then decided I needed to first become more knowledgeable about bass room acoustics and the best methods to achieve very good in-room bass response. After a few weeks of internet research. I learned about the distributed bass array concept, read the very positive TAS review of the commercially available complete kit example based on this concept (the AK Swarm system) and called AK.
At this point, I was still hesitant mainly because it sounded too good to be true and I considered the $3K price a bit steep. But, after numerous phone and email conversations with AK dealer,James Romeyn, in Utah, I gradually gained confidence and, when he offered a free 4 week in-home trial, I decided to buy the system.
It took about half a Saturday for a buddy and I to properly install it but I still consider the Swarm the best system upgrade I've ever made. I've used it for about 4 yrs now, and I still consistently have feelings and thoughts about how fortunate and grateful I am that I decided to give it a try. I don't think I can overstate how well the Swarm system performs in my room/system. I justified the price by equated it to about the same or less than the price of 2 very good conventional subs.
Please don't hesitate asking if you have any further questions.
Tim
