So sub or not to sub

FWIW, I also found that swapping the Electroharmonix 6922 tubes out of the pre-amp section of the LSA and replacing them with Amperex 7308's also tightened up the bass.

Subs are nowhere if you have good speakers however MAGICO is making the best subs the only ones i could live with.

Always power sub if you can. No downside.

I use a Paradigm Signature Servo sub. Nice thing about the Servo sub is that it permits close adjustment for phase alignment, x-over cut-off and loudness. Depending on my mood and planetary alignment, I fiddle with the controls.

Right now, I'm in a "less is more" mood. So, I turned down the loudness and cut back on frequency x-over to about 40 or 50 Hz. I even adjusted the phase alignment to attenuate bass at the x-over point just a tad to reduce what sounded like a bass resonance.

I agree with the comments above that the sub adds presence to the sonic presentation. It seems to enhance imaging and depth of field. The problem is the room. Nevertheless, it is highly unlikely that I would employ the methodologies used by Bo .... So I guess I'm holding where Wolf ... is.

Btw, the more current high-end Paradigm sub offering permit even closer bass adjustment with a built-in bass equalizer mike. One day, I may try that out.

I have to say that since systems are taste AND room dependant there is nothing that works for everybody, except maybe keeping level under control...I'm sure many digital system squashers sound great to the swquashees (squashoids?), but I'm into "less is more" and ear trustage (!) in both live sound mixing and active hifi listening.