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How to connect sub to Cary SLP 98 preamp?

Cary SLP98 preamp has 2 pairs of outs. I am using one pair L+R to connect left and right Bryston monoblocks, these apms are powering L/R speakers (I have 2 channel system only).
Now, to get a better bass, I hooked my Totem Storm subwoofer to second output on Cary preamp, using Y-splitter at preamp and then running just one RCA sub cable to the sub. The subwoofer has low level RCA L/R In and also RCA L/R Out. I connected a single cable fron preamp to left In. I think there is no difference if it is connected to L or R.
Now about the problem: Cary preamp has left volume, right volume and a Master volume. Master volume controls both channels of course and left/right volumes control L/R channels only (as it is supposed to do).
BUT, with my sub connected as described, left volume knob controls BOTH channels and right volume knob controls BOTH channels as well ?????
I thought this was a right connection for the sub but now am puzzled. Any idea what is wrong with this hookup? What is better way to hook it up (I do not want to use speaker level connections).
Thanks for the help.
rohlim
rohlim OP
7 posts
 
Thanks guys for the help.
I tried to use two RCA cables and the problem was gone. So there certainly was something wrong with that Y-splitter connection.
Now I have to decide which connection option to use, either low level with 2 RCAs or speaker level, but I am leaning towards the speaker level.
jylee
306 posts
 
It sounds like you have MERGED the second left and right into a single RCA channel instead of splitting them. That was not a good thing to do. Just connect the right channel to the sub, as we commonly do.
johnnypayne
2 posts
 
I had the same question and it was answered. Now I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on cable quality? Right now, I am running old school Audioquest interconnects, mixed with higher quality homemade speaker cables and now junk RCA's to the sub. Is the system only as strong as my weakest link? I have my volume turned to nothing almost and this B&W ASW600 is overpowering the B&W 603's? Any recommendations? Thanks- Johnny
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