Subwoofer connect question

[ciscocbee]

Hi everyone,

I’m thinking about replacing my old home stereo with something new. I view/ listen to everything via my computer (I have 2, one is a server). I’m setting up for stereo + subwoofer now, but I’d like to be able to expand to 5.1 at some point. This is what I plan:

1. Because my two computers are a little noisy and ugly (they’re big rack mountable beasts) I figured I’d banish them to the room above the living room (where the action will be).

2. Since it’s going to be noisy up there anyway, I think I’ll go for a pro amp since they have good bang for the buck, just loud fans. Probably the QSC RMX 1450.

3. Need a reasonable DAC that at some point can do surround sound. The Audiofire 8 seems like a fun choice.

4. I’ll wire everything through the walls to faceplates, with the LCD on the wall.

So now my question: The audiofire has 8 balanced outputs. Two of these go to the amp, which will output Speakon connectors downstairs. What is the best way to get a signal to my sub? Should I take a balanced line level from the audiofire down to the RCA sub input (do I need a crossover, or will the one on my sub work?). I know the audiofire decodes surround (which again I may use at some point), but can’t figure out how it handles the sub out.

I welcome all ideas/ comments including the ones that think this entire setup is misguided at best, criminally insane at worst.

Thanks!

Cisco

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

What are you talking about? Criminally insane systems are always the best ones.

You might need to rethink that Echo Audiofire 8. As far as I can tell it’s a digital recording interface, not a surround sound processor.

Re your sub, any balanced output from a processor can be converted to unbalanced. All you’d need would be is a cable with an XLR or ¼” plug on one end, and an RCA on the other.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[ciscocbee]

The audiofire 8 is a recording interface, but according to the manual it will also output surround sound, stereo, etc. I think.

Regarding the xlr to rca, do I need to worry about crossover? I figured a regular sub out has already filtered the high frequencies, which a regular line out will not?

Thanks!

Cisco

 

[ciscocbee]

Um.. won't let me link to the manual, but its on the audiofire web page.

Page 41 talks about surround sound.


Cisco

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Hmm... The manual I found on their site had something else on P. 41. Try pasting in the link you were looking at, only delete the “http/www.” at the front.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[ciscocbee]

Here you are:

echoaudio.com/Downloads/Manuals/AudioFire%20Windows%20Manual%20v2.2.pdf

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

The audiofire 8 is a recording interface, but according to the manual it will also output surround sound, stereo, etc. I think.

Well, you said you wanted to expand to 5.1 at some point. If by that you mean for watching movies, you’re going to need a processor with a Dolby Digital decoder.

Regarding the xlr to rca, do I need to worry about crossover? I figured a regular sub out has already filtered the high frequencies, which a regular line out will not?

Yes, a crossover is needed. If the processor you’re using doesn’t have one, it’s fine to use the one in the subwoofer.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[ciscocbee]

OK. I guess I figured that was part of the audiofire 8 but I guess not. That is pretty clear now.

Thanks!


Cisco

 

[ciscocbee]

OK, sorry to be obstinate (blame my parents for their genetic material) but I found this on the audiofire forum:

.echoaudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=132

From what they said it does play surround in VLC (which is my player of choice) and WMP.

Cisco