? for ya, Al

Al, Thanks for your response! I do have xlr inputs and outputs on my sub. Maybe I'll try the splitter, as well as using the xlr inputs and outputs on thesub. I'm assuming that itwouldcross my front speakers over if I went that route. It seems that my little 5 1/2 inch drivers are actually happier at really loud volumes, being crossed over at 80hz; visually, less of that flappy driver thing that occurs when your speakers are turned up too loud.

Zd, That's interesting what you said about the xlr's not being balanced; bummer. The sound is better using xlr's though, and it was the only way I could get rid of a ground loop hum that I had. I didn't try removing the ground plug from my amp or pre amp power cord though, and that might of resolved the issue. I realized a month ago that the power cords I'm using have ground plugs that you can unscrew, I'm assuming for that very reason. Anyways, what did you think of the ssp 25 in terms of sound quality for a 2 channel setup? Any other thoughts about the ssp? I know what you mean about the rca's. Every time I disconnect a cable, they pull out.

Who is Al?

One to be trusted.

"Zd542, thanks for pointing that out. But to clarify, do you mean that there is only one signal on the XLR connectors (the "hot" signal on pin 2), and pin 3 is grounded instead of being provided with the inverted or "cold" signal that would normally be provided on a balanced output? Or do you just mean that the internal signal path in the preamp is not balanced?"

I may be misreading your statement, but, wouldn't both of those choices in the above quote mean pretty much the same thing? Its been over 10 years since I had my SSp25 but I remember for sure that pin 2 is hot and if you want to use a XLR to rca adaptor, you need to get one that connects pins 1 and 3. Also, If pin 3 is grounded from the factory, wouldn't that imply that the internal signal path in the preamp is unbalanced, as well? If the OP has the manual, I remember reading that it does say somewhere in it that this is the case. It may be a little vague or hard to find in the literature because most companies like to say that their stuff has balanced inputs/outputs but don't like to point out if the component itself is not fully balanced, as well.

OP,

As far as sound quality goes, I thought it was fine for movies. For 2 channel, it depends on how much music you listen to. Its OK for casual listening but you would probably like a high quality 2 channel preamp much better for any serious listening.