Schiit stack + Mackie Big Knob Passive + Mackie MR524 + MRS10 Sub... how should I connect these?

[d3vi0uz]

Hi all

I just bought the Schiit Modi 2 + Magni 3 for a new set of headphones. I also bought the Mackie MR524 and MRS10 sub.

Should I use the connect as such:

Modi 2 DAC > Magni 3 Amp preout > Mackie Big Knob Passive > MRS10 Sub > MR524 Speakers

Since all of the knobs are on the rear of the Mackie speakers and sub I want to use the Big Knob to control volume. But it seems if I want to adjust the bass from the sub I have to go to its rear and adjust that individually.

Is there a better way to set this up?

 

[Bucknekked]

Hi all

I just bought the Schiit Modi 2 + Magni 3 for a new set of headphones. I also bought the Mackie MR524 and MRS10 sub.

Should I use the connect as such:

Modi 2 DAC > Magni 3 Amp preout > Mackie Big Knob Passive > MRS10 Sub > MR524 Speakers

Since all of the knobs are on the rear of the Mackie speakers and sub I want to use the Big Knob to control volume. But it seems if I want to adjust the bass from the sub I have to go to its rear and adjust that individually.

Is there a better way to set this up?

d3vi0uz
Welcome to the AH forum and I hope you have some great trips here for information. There's a ton of expertise here and lots of help.

First things first, I gotta get this off my brain: you have schiit in your setup. I apologize.

Ok, now that we're passed that, I would probably start off with questions rather than answers.
You have a really nice, current, set of powered speakers. Good looking stuff. I'm unfamiliar with Mackie,but having done a little reading, you have made some good choices with those. Powered speakers may very well be the future in many areas of audio.

Where my questions start is the marriage of the Schiit equipment and the Mackie. The Schiits don't appear to have a line level output, just an RCA L and R output. Your Mackie appears to like 1/4" XLR balanced/unbalanced inputs or a single stereo line level input. So my first question is did you choose that marriage on purpose? How are you making those two make sweet music?

The subwoofer question sounds like an offshoot of my first question. Most subs have a rear volume control that is set at setup and calibration time. You match it with the levels of the L and R. Then, as you drive up the volume to the trio, they all increase and decrease together. If you don't have the right signal (line level or a proper XLR connection) then you may be goofed up on your sub and that's why it isn't working like you think.

I haven't see a setup like this one. I'd be interested in your thought process for putting it together like you have. There are many powered speaker officianados here so if you can explain it, I'm sure the braintrust can help out.

Again, welcome and I hope you get some good help.

 

[d3vi0uz]

d3vi0uz
Welcome to the AH forum and I hope you have some great trips here for information. There's a ton of expertise here and lots of help.

First things first, I gotta get this off my brain: you have schiit in your setup. I apologize.

Ok, now that we're passed that, I would probably start off with questions rather than answers.
You have a really nice, current, set of powered speakers. Good looking stuff. I'm unfamiliar with Mackie,but having done a little reading, you have made some good choices with those. Powered speakers may very well be the future in many areas of audio.

Where my questions start is the marriage of the Schiit equipment and the Mackie. The Schiits don't appear to have a line level output, just an RCA L and R output. Your Mackie appears to like 1/4" XLR balanced/unbalanced inputs or a single stereo line level input. So my first question is did you choose that marriage on purpose? How are you making those two make sweet music?

The subwoofer question sounds like an offshoot of my first question. Most subs have a rear volume control that is set at setup and calibration time. You match it with the levels of the L and R. Then, as you drive up the volume to the trio, they all increase and decrease together. If you don't have the right signal (line level or a proper XLR connection) then you may be goofed up on your sub and that's why it isn't working like you think.

I haven't see a setup like this one. I'd be interested in your thought process for putting it together like you have. There are many powered speaker officianados here so if you can explain it, I'm sure the braintrust can help out.

Again, welcome and I hope you get some good help.

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I've got some Schiit here

The Mackie speakers have RCA inputs so I could take the RCA outs from the Magni and connect them that way.

However, with the matched Mackie sub, there are no RCA inputs. And the powered MR524 speakers are designed to receive signal from the MRS10 sub.

That's why I bought the Mackie Big Knob Passive. I run an RCA to 1/4" from the Magni to the Big Knob. Then 1/4" out from the Big Knob to my sub. Then connect the sub to my speakers via XLR.

It works, but I'm open to suggestions for a way to control the sub volume separately from the powered speakers.

And yes, this was all bought intentionally. I realize the Schiit stack is an (entry level) audiophile DAC and amp while the Mackies are pro audio gear.

I plan on using the Mackies for producing and mixing music. And the Schiit stack for listening to my completed tracks and music in general via headphones.