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Best way to integrate a sub into 2 channel system?

I have looked at many of the threads relating to this subject but was unable to come away with any firm conclusion. I have a tube preamp and amp and bookshelf speakers plus an active sub. Please tell me if one of the following methods is considered best:
1) Use the high level connections(speaker wire) from the amp and then to the speakers using the sub's crossover

2) Use the low level connections (RCA) from my preamp to sub to amp using my sub's crossover

3) Buy an eternal crossover (Outlaw ICBM) and place it between my pream and amp to send the low freqs to the sub (low level connection/RCA) and high freqs to the amp. I know that I need to disable my subs crossover in this case.

With 2 and 3, I know that I would be relieving my amp of having to deal with the lower bass freqs and potentially improve the mids and highs but run the risk of the crossover causing problems.

thanks for the advice,

Chris
128x128tcbannon
ellery911
549 posts
 
I think sugarbrie has asked a good question...I myself use choice #1. Previously I used choice #2, but I found that the crossover in my velodyne sub "dirtied" up the signal that was being sent back to the amp. I have seen this question asked a number of times in threads, and much to my suprise...many people on those threads were recommending choice #1...seems as there is a different school of thought here. This is just my opinion, I hope I'm not adding undue confusion so please everybody dont beat me up.

Then again...why not try it all ways and see what you like the best.

just my 2c

Ellery
dawgbyte's avatar
dawgbyte
325 posts
 
I went with choice number 2 and it worked out fine for me.
tcbannon's avatar
tcbannon OP
22 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. I am going to try it both ways and see what works best. My Preamp is a Bottleheas Forplay which, I think, can handle driving the sub. I just arranged to buy a used ICBM external xover here on Agon. At this point, I just need to hook up my system both ways to see if pulling off the low freq info before my amp improves the mids/highs without negitively affecting the sound too much due to the addition of the ICBM. Either way, it will be fun to experiment and I can always sell the ICBM if it doesn't work in my systmem.
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