Connecting Active Subwoofer (Dayton Audio CS) to Vintage Receiver (Marantz 2270)

[Wilfred Jone]

How can I connect an active subwoofer (Dayton Audio CS) to a vintage stereo receiver. I have a Marantz 2270 and it's currently connected to two Bose speakers. The audio source for the Marantz will either be a turntable (phono) or a computer (aux). Is it possible to connect the subwoofer through line level?

 

[opnly bafld]

Speaker wire or the preout - main in.

 

[whoaru99]

My suggestion would be to download the sub's owner/operator manual from Dayton Audio, familiarize yourself with what that shows, then come back if you have additional questions/concerns.

Dayton Audio - CS1200 12" 200W Powered Subwoofer Black

CS1200 12" 200W Powered Subwoofer Black

www.daytonaudio.com

 

[Wilfred Jone]

Speaker wire or the preout - main in.

How would I connect it to pre-out and main in? Do I use RCA Y splitters from pre-out to main-in and line-in for subwoofer? I've attached images of the backs of the sub and receiver.

 

[DeadTrader]

Yes you can use the hi level inputs. This can be taken from either the speaker binding post on the back of the amp or from the post on the back of the speaker. And you should use the post on the back of the amp that the speakers are actually wired to not a B set. You have to have the positive from both speakers and you can get away with just running one common and then jumping on the back of the sub.

 

[Wilfred Jone]

Yes you can use the hi level inputs. This can be taken from either the speaker binding post on the back of the amp or from the post on the back of the speaker. And you should use the post on the back of the amp that the speakers are actually wired to not a B set. You have to have the positive from both speakers and you can get away with just running one common and then jumping on the back of the sub.

Is there any way I can use line level input?

 

[DeadTrader]

Is there any way I can use line level input?

With vintage gear don't get that option.

 

[opnly bafld]

And you should use the post on the back of the amp that the speakers are actually wired to not a B set.

I disagree, many people do this and it can be helpful to be able to have the subwoofer playing or not with a switch on the receiver.

 

[opnly bafld]

With vintage gear don't get that option.

His receiver has a preout/main in jumper, so indeed he can.

 

[Wilfred Jone]

With vintage gear don't get that option.

What about using pre-out and main-in?

 

[opnly bafld]

What about using pre-out and main-in?

Sounds like you have it figured out in one of your posts above.

 

[Wilfred Jone]

Sounds like you have it figured out in one of your posts above.

Okay thanks. I'd need 2 RCA Y splitters from pre-out to main-in and to the 2 line level inputs of the subwoofer, right?

 

[opnly bafld]

Okay thanks. I'd need 2 RCA Y splitters from pre-out to main-in and to the 2 line level inputs of the subwoofer, right?

If you get 2 male and 1 female style you can plug the 2 males into the preout - main in and use the female for the cable going to the sub.

 

[opnly bafld]

@Wilfred Jone

I just noticed you are a brand new member, welcome to AK!

 

[Wilfred Jone]

@Wilfred Jone

I just noticed you are a brand new member, welcome to AK!

Thank you!

 

[Wilfred Jone]

If you get 2 male and 1 female style you can plug the 2 males into the preout - main in and use the female for the cable going to the sub.

Gotcha. Horizontal Y-splitters, replacing the R and L jumpers connecting MAIN-IN to PRE-OUT, with the female ends of the Y-splitters each connecting to a longer male-to-male RCA cable, with the other male end of each connecting to the subwoofer's R and L line inputs, respectively. Thank you very much!

 

[whoaru99]

A lot of people get hung up on using low level connection but FYI/FWIW, the well-respected sub mfg. REL generally suggests using speaker level connections.

 

[Hajidub]

What about using pre-out and main-in?

I assume the sub is going close to one of your Bose speakers. Just daisy chain off of one of them to one of the speaker inputs on the back of the sub (output adjusts just like the speaker it's attached to). Been running same subs for a long time with no issues. Especially not an issue when playing vinyl since the bass output of a record is centered.

 

[eiraved]

How can I connect an active subwoofer (Dayton Audio CS) to a vintage stereo receiver. I have a Marantz 2270 and it's currently connected to two Bose speakers. The audio source for the Marantz will either be a turntable (phono) or a computer (aux). Is it possible to connect the subwoofer through line level?

Welcome to AK!!
Thanks you for posting pictures. Most new members (and some oldies) ask questions and never post pictures of the equipment in question, expecting us to do the legwork in searching for the pictures. It definitely helps in getting a quicker diagnosis of the problem.