amps with analog bass management

[Portland_Yahoo]

I recently pulled the trigger on the black friday sale of the Outlaw M8 subwoofer, for use in an home office stereo. I've got a DAC, turntable and phono preamp, but no other components yet, so in the market for small speakers appropriate for a desktop (like maybe NHT Superzero 2.1's) and an amp. Seems like bass management will be an issue though. The Based on my research, the M8 does not have a true high pass filter. It does have speaker terminals for input and output, but sends a full range signal out. So either I accept that my desktop speakers get a full range signal, or I incorporate bass management somehow. I'd like to keep it all analog too (for my turntable).

The only stereo receiver with analog bass management I see out there for less than a million bucks is the Outlaw RR2150. If I open the door to digital bass management, there are loads of budget AV receivers to choose from, but I want to keep it analog. Are there any other options? I like the idea of that Outlaw, but not a fan of its looks.

Also, and this is more of a speaker question, but if I went with a sealed speaker design like the NHT's, would the full range signal issue kind of not be a big deal at all? If that's the case, I'd be able to get a significantly less expenseive stereo amp that I'm sure my ears would be happy with.

 

[Swerd]

Welcome to Audioholics!

I recently pulled the trigger on the black friday sale of the Outlaw M8 subwoofer, for use in an home office stereo. I've got a DAC, turntable and phono preamp, but no other components yet, so in the market for small speakers appropriate for a desktop (like maybe NHT Superzero 2.1's) and an amp. Seems like bass management will be an issue though. The Based on my research, the M8 does not have a true high pass filter. It does have speaker terminals for input and output, but sends a full range signal out. So either I accept that my desktop speakers get a full range signal, or I incorporate bass management somehow.

With NHT Superzero speakers, a full range signal may not be a problem. They are said to go as low as 85 Hz, and below that they produce little if any sound (if they behave like the 16-year-old Superzeros I have as rear channel speakers).

I'd like to keep it all analog too (for my turntable).

The only stereo receiver with analog bass management I see out there for less than a million bucks is the Outlaw RR2150. If I open the door to digital bass management, there are loads of budget AV receivers to choose from, but I want to keep it analog. Are there any other options? I like the idea of that Outlaw, but not a fan of its looks.

I don’t understand your concern about keeping it all analog. If you have been led to believe that converting an analog audio signal to digital and then back to analog again, as most AVRs do, causes a loss of sound quality, it is no cause for concern. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages (if any). And for a somewhat higher price, there are AV receivers that allow the option of sending analog audio signals direct through the preamp section without being digitized. Different brands name this feature differently, but they do exist. Look for feature names such as “Pure Direct”.

The Outlaw RR2150 is a very good receiver with a powerful and low distortion amplifier section. It also includes a phono preamp that would allow you to sell the stand alone one you bought. (I hope you didn't pay too much for it, more than $100.) Small insensitive speakers, such as the Superzeros, even if you sit close to them on a desktop will benefit from that kind of power reserve.

 

[Portland_Yahoo]

Thanks for the helpful reply, Swerd! That's good to know about the NHT. I knew there were some advantages to sealed speakers but had kind of forgotten about them.

I admit there's likely some magical thinking involved in my desire for all-analog chain in my office setup, but my last attempt at using a home theater receiver for vinyl playback did not go very well. There could have been a number of external reasons for that, but the end result was disappointment. On the other hand, my last real two channel vinyl setup, which I sadly do not own anymore, was all analog and a pure joy to listen to. Again, there could have been other variables at play, but at the end of the day, so many less-than-perfectly-logical factors go into one's shopping decision, and for a near field desktop system, all analog (for vinyl at least) is still a credible option.

 

[marksas]

If you don't mind going with separates, Parasound has products with bass management. The Classic 2100 stereo preamp has it as well as a built in phono stage. The popular more expensive P5 preamp is loaded with features. Then just add a 2ch amp of your choice.
For an 'office desktop' system I can't imagine you'd be listening at very loud levels, so the amp does not need to be high wattage.
Another option along with those preamps would be to add powered speakers rather than an external amp.