Connecting NAD 3020 to an active subwoofer?

[margatesands]

Hi,

I am putting together a system with a NAD 3020 for a friend. I also have a really nice sub from BK Eletronics (XLS200, details here).

Not the biggest image in the world but you can see that it just has RCA inputs and a Speakon. No daisy chain ouputs.

For those who don't know, here's the back of the 3020, with it's pre out and pre in RCA connections. The two metal links can be removed, and are just to maintain voltage flow through the system.

How might I connect the XLS200 to this amp?

I do have some bits and pieces lying around, like a multi channel headphone amp that could kind of bodge it (pre out -> headphone amp -> subwoofer + NAD power in).

I assume it's possible, and that I could buy something that would make it work. Just not sure what / how.

 

[whoaru99]

Or, get/make the Speakon high level input cable. It's more versatile/flexible in the long run as it facilitates connection even in system that doesn't have pre outs.

And, IMO, using pre out has no distinct advantage unless the sub cannot accept high level input or unless there is ability and desire to return a high-passed signal to reduce the low frequency demands on the main amp and speakers.

 

[idf.bts]

Or, get/make the Speakon high level input cable. It's more versatile/flexible in the long run as it facilitates connection even in system that doesn't have pre outs.

And, IMO, using pre out has no distinct advantage unless the sub cannot accept high level input or unless there is ability and desire to return a high-passed signal to reduce the low frequency demands on the main amp and speakers.

Agreed. Speakon should be the reference for subwoofer connections.

 

[cademan]

Just get a pair of Y adapters that have 2 males and 1 female jacks. Connect the 2 males in place of the U shaped pins on the amp, and just run a pair of RCA male interconnects to the RCA inputs on the sub.

Should work fine.

 

[margatesands]

Agreed. Speakon should be the reference for subwoofer connections.

Thanks both.

Sorry to be dense, but what connection should be on the amplifier end of the speakon cable?

If its RCA, do I follow the other suggestions about connecting it?

I'm afraid I'm learning all about pre / power amplifier differences, hi fi generally, and there are some obvious things I don't currently know about.

I have one of these subs in my music studio, with a speakon cable that was wired by BK to a quarter inch jack. This is the type of connection more suitable for audio interfaces etc.

This new sub for my friend has been delivered to my dads place down in south london, pending a trip to put things together.

I can ask him to look in the box and see what they put on.

 

[idf.bts]

Thanks both.

Sorry to be dense, but what connection should be on the amplifier end of the speakon cable?

If its RCA, do I follow the other suggestions about connecting it?

I'm afraid I'm learning all about pre / power amplifier differences, hi fi generally, and there are some obvious things I don't currently know about.

I have one of these subs in my music studio, with a speakon cable that was wired by BK to a quarter inch jack. This is the type of connection more suitable for audio interfaces etc.

This new sub for my friend has been delivered to my dads place down in south london, pending a trip to put things together.

I can ask him to look in the box and see what they put on.

Speakon usually come in 3 or 4 wire configurations. REL uses 3, Martin Logan 4, I don't know much about the rest. Speakon is really versatile, it can be used for signal, AC, many things.

In your instance, you have to look up what the sub wants in that port.

Speakon to 1/4 isnt taking advantage of it. It should be wired to the NADs speaker terminals directly. You have to sort of sacrifice an amp for this, or have one with 2 speaker sets on it. You want to take advantage of the strongest signal your setup can produce, and thats the speaker terminals.

 

[whoaru99]

Thanks both.

Sorry to be dense, but what connection should be on the amplifier end of the speakon cable?

...

Someting that facilitates connection to the amp/speaker terminals. Could be bare wire, spades, pins, banana plugs, et al.; whatever facilitates connection to the amp/speaker terminals.

 

[margatesands]

Someting that facilitates connection to the amp/speaker terminals. Could be bare wire, spades, pins, banana plugs, et al.; whatever facilitates connection to the amp/speaker terminals.

Oof slow reply. I just felt like such a dumbass I couldn't bring myself to ask:

So is it alright to connect 2 pairs of speakers and a subwoofer to just the main speaker terminals? Can NAD 3020 handle this?

I have another sub which has high level inputs, same kind of connectors as the back of hi fi speakers.

If it's not advisable to run multiple sets of speaker wire out of the 4 speaker terminals on the NAD, I'll get an RCA splitter and use that route.

 

[cademan]

If the sub is powered, the receiver will see no extra load.