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Need help with splitting XLR OUTPUT

Can anyone help me with this question about splitting the subwoofer XLR OUTPUT from my processor to 4 different amps? I am currently using a single XLR. Cable that has a 3 way split from it and concerned about the signal being split again. I only have a Meridian 861 processor that only has a single XLR subwoofer out and I have to send one signal to my pair of JL Gotham subs and two other XLR cables to two separate Velodyne subwoofer amps.
One of the Velodyne amps drives a custom made subwoofer in my rear seat riser and the other amp drive my Buttkickers in the seating. I just added another row of seating and have another row of Buttkickers to drive but am concerned about splitting the single
XLR output signal into 4 different wires. What is the best way to keep the signal pristine or does it even matter that I am splitting it four ways. Should I just add another XLR Y splitter to one of the existing output cables, get another cable that has the single on one side that plugs into the Meridian with 4 cables broken out from it, or use some type of box? The Velodyne amps have RCA passthroughs on them but everytime I have tried to use the RCA input/outputs on anything connected to the Meridian setup I get some type of ground noise so I have to stick to the balanced connections.
128x128farmersre
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
I use a pair of Velodyne HGS-15s with an SMS-1 bass manager. All the connections of the Cary 11a, SMS-1, and the two subs are XLR. Velodyne suggested I just split the XLR output of the SMS-1 to the two subs. It's an easy solution and the one I'm using, but I wonder if it's the best solution. OTOH, it seems to work well.

db
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
DB, again the impedances of the Velodyne components don't appear to be specified, but nevertheless I see no particular reason to suspect that the two-way split would be an issue. The SMS is solid state, meaning that there is relatively little likelihood that it would have an inordinately high output impedance at deep bass frequencies; possible effects on mid and high frequencies would not matter; the fact that the interconnections are balanced minimizes the likelihood of ground loop and noise-related issues; Velodyne recommended the solution; and it appears to work well.

Regards,
-- Al
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farmersre OP
19 posts
 
Thanks for your help. I just ordered the Aphex unit. I was concerned about splitting the signal after the Velodyne amps since they are all SC1250 units and would send a corrected signal out to the JL Audio Gotham Subs of which they have their own computerized setups as well. My preamp, the Meridian 861 v8 also utilizes room correction, so I am trying to split out a pure subwoofer out signal to each before any processing of the signal is done by any of the components. Since I also use a pair of Meridian 8000 speakers where the woofer/subs in them utilize room correction as well, i figured going with your recommendations of the Aphex. My system is rounded out with the Meridian 7200 center channel and 4 of the Meridian 5300 speakers.
Thanks again for all of your help.
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
Thanks, Al. I think I'll leave well enough alone as you suggest.

Oppo told me that 0.1 is sent to the subs regardless of the settings for the speakers, so I use the stereo output for the LR front of 7.1, because Oppo gives stereo special analog processing. I need to set the LR mains to large, because XLR analog stereo does not include bass management, but any crossover is applied. The KEF 107/2 mains extend to 20 Hz nicely with the KUBE, so subs are not really needed for music. But they shook the room when we played Life of Pi.

db
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
In rereading it, I realize the 2nd paragraph of my previous post doesn't make much sense without further explanation about the particular setup that is not worth going into.

db
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