2. speakers
  3. 1289252796

Problem with older REL subs & class D amps

I'm posting this as a "heads-up" - per tech support at REL - that certain REL sub-woofers of the past do not accommodate tapping into the high level output of class D amps using the cables originally provided.

Options are (a) to use the low level (preamp) output into REL sub low level input, or, (b)obtain a special cable that they call "high level digital out" from a REL dealership.

Subwoofers designed prior to the rise in popularity of class D amps are apparently the ones that fall victim to this. Best to obtain details from a REL dealer or tech support at Sumiko. (It sounds like the folks at Sumiko hope that your dealer can help you with this... understandable, as this is the purpose of a dealer...).

Sigh.
Art
artmaltman
artmaltman OP
769 posts
 
I wish I was able to get more detail on the fix. No one seems to know - except there is a fellow at REL who builds these cables by hand. I'll see if I can get him to let us know. Generally they want to keep things trade secret I'm sure BUT this involves support to existing customers in order to correct a problem. I'd like to think that the issue is simply a matter of filtering but why would they not simply say that if true? We shall see.

Stan, thank you for confirming the issue regarding dealers getting information. I also called a local - long established and very highly regarded - dealer of REL products, only to discover that they had never heard of this problem.

Meanwhile the folks at Sumiko are saying "just ask your dealer"!!!

Sigh.
Art
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,274 posts
 
You can see a photo of the new cable in this thread at AVS forum. The ground lead now has a male RCA connector on it, supposedly to go into an unused RCA jack, and the standard Speakon connector at the sub end is changed. WTF?

There's something fishy about this. Why can't or won't Sumiko provide a decent technical explanation?
the_lanman
27 posts
 
This might help:
http://www.belcantodesign.com/pdfs/e_OneTOsub.pdf

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=027-340%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&FTR=027-340&CFID=13296297&CFTOKEN=75660924
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,274 posts
 
Excellent !!!
jeffc
6 posts
 
I ordered a digital high level cable last week. I will probably receive it next week. REL UK & Sumiko said you require this cable with class D digital amps. I bought a Rowland Continuum & started getting a click sound in the left speaker once I pushed the mute, phase, or bypass button on the front of the Rowland. The low level cable has always been hooked to a Marantz AVR at the same time.

When I disconnected the low level cable on the REL & disconnected the ground from the high level cable, all was fine. When the high level ground was re-attached, the click returned.

Sumiko said the new cable should rectify the issue. This problem only started when I received the Rowland. It was fine with a BAT VK 300se,which was not class d.
More to discover