Peter P. Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 I just hooked up my new subwoofer to my integrated amp's preamp connections and discovered those connections are at a fixed output level. What good are they if they don't vary the input level to my sub? Is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Sounds like a tape loop output not a preamp out. Preamp out level should vary with signal level and volume control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyrc Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Does your sub have a gain control on it? If so, does it have enough volume range to allow you to balance the sub with the regular speakers? I don't know whether it's normal in an integrated amp. How old is it? The older integrated amps were not set up for subs. I don't know about the modern ones, but many 2 channel folk add a sub, so they do it somehow. Is your integrated one made especially for AV? Most home theaters use either an AVR (audio visual receiver), or a pre-pro (preamp processor) AKA an AVP, with a separate multichannel power amp. What brand and model is your integrated amp, and what brand and model is your sub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 As far as I know, every integrated amp with stereo preouts that I have owned have variable gain. What integrated amp are you using? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter P. Posted February 1, 2019 Author Share Posted February 1, 2019 My integrated amp is a Yamaha A-520. They are definitely pre-amp ins/outs because they're labeled as such. It's just an audio amp, 32 years old as of this month! The subwoofer is an SVS SB-1000 and it has a gain control, but if the input signal doesn't follow the amp's volume control, the subwoofer's output is pegged at one level and one level only. Right now it appears I have to use the speaker level inputs. My plan is to run the amp's "B" channel speaker outputs into the sub. SVS confirmed that will work. What WON'T work is the high pass crossover, as there's no high pass crossover on the speaker connections. I was hoping to run my Heresy's in all their full-range glory and have the sub fill in the rest. Instead, I'll probably buy an outboard 12dB high pass filter and connect it to the Heresy's speaker terminals. The lowest filter I can get is 80Hz so I'll work with that :-( . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 I fetched a copy of the user's manual and it appears there are no pre-outs on that unit. There are two tape loops available and an "accessory send/receive" with jumpers that allow you to insert a signal processor (or whatever) "prior to the tone controls." However in the service manual block diagram, it shows the tone controls functioning within the amplifier feedback loop and the "accessory" jumper appears between the input selection and mode switch, followed in order by loudness, balance, and volume. The only outputs available after the volume control in the flow of things are the speakers and headphone jack. Why not just run the Heresy's full-range and start with the lowest setting (50 Hz) on the sub using the high-level inputs? I'd bet you won't be too far off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter P. Posted February 2, 2019 Author Share Posted February 2, 2019 9 hours ago, glens said: Why not just run the Heresy's full-range and start with the lowest setting (50 Hz) on the sub using the high-level inputs? I'd bet you won't be too far off. Right now, that's my plan- to connect the sub to my Channel B speaker outputs while the Heresy's run full range on Channel A. I will run the Heresy's full-range, but I was hoping to use the high-pass line level outputs on the sub to alleviate having the Heresy's trying to reproduce anything below their 3dB limit of 50Hz. I'm going to fabricate some simple, 6dB/octave high pass filters tomorrow for the Heresy's. I wanted to make 2nd Order high pass filters but I can't find inductors of the right size and value, so First Order will have to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 Proceed with just one at first just see if amp will suffice before a dual input to sub. Hope you have fuse protection. Good fortune! Tape out loop is better choice if have not tried. And then only one. Will need to speaker select A+B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 And then may have to select tape out/rec...alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blvdre Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 Peter, I looked at the a-520 manual, and I don't see a pre-amp out. It shows 3 line level inputs, a phono input, two tape loops, and an accessory send and receive (for eq). Maybe Yamaha had an initial run of amps that were mislabeled. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/779909/Yamaha-A-520.html?page=5#manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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