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REL subs with Rowland Amplifiers

I'm having issues connecting my REL Carbon limited subwoofer to my Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier via the high-level input. I connected my sub according to REL's instructions...yellow lead to positive on one channel, red lead to positive on the other channel, and floating the black wire(ground). I get minimum output when connected according to the instructions. When I use the low level input, the output is sufficient and the sub sounds great. Per my conversation with Jeff Rowland I need to ground the black wire by loosening a screw on the amplifier and connecting the black wire, but if it isn't properly grounded I may damage my amplifier. Is there anyone that owns a REL with Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier or other balanced differential amplifier? If so, how do you connect your REL via the high-level input. Is there an easier way to ground the wire than unscrewing the screw on my amplifier. I just don't want to unscrew the screw and prefer another method of grounding the sub.   
ricred1
ricred1 OP
2,043 posts
 
Yes, my subs are setup for 2-channel on the inside of my speakers. They're in the same place I had my JL Audio F112 v2. 
My methodology is pretty simple. I played three songs with the high-level connection,  turned my amplifier off and switched to the low-level connection. I repeated the same sequence three times. I used nine songs, some were very well recorded, others just music that I'm very familiar with. 
Now I will sell the Signal speakon cables and borrow an Audioquest Wolf or higher subwoofer cable to hear if it makes a difference. 
ricred1 OP
2,043 posts
 
As I mentioned earlier, one REL representative said because the high-level and low-level input uses the same board there's minimal difference in sound quality between the two,  while another REL representative suggested the high-level input was 100 and the low-level was 80. When I talked to Jeff Rowland he told me to just use the low-level input. 
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,875 posts
 
Richard, If Jeff told you to use the low level input, perhaps he was suggesting that in order for you not to have a problem hooking up to his amp. That would be my impression. You must have told him of your issue with the hook-up from your OP. 
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,875 posts
 
Also, while the two inputs use the same board, that doesn't mean to say that the signal that board receives will be the same...in regards to low input vs high input. 
ricred1 OP
2,043 posts
 
daveyf,
Jeff Rowland and I talked for several minutes about REL, but it isn't my place to post our discussion. 
I reached out to REL again this morning to make sure I wasn't missing something regarding how the subs were connected. I have no problem staying with the low-level input, because that's what sound best in my system. 
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