High Level Inputs

[tubesaregood]

Once I finish my main setup, it will have three dbx amps with high level inputs. I would assume that there won't be an issue daisy chaining high level inputs and outputs, ie, I will run high level in to one amp, then run the high level out from that amp into another high level in on another amp etc., and finally to a pair of satellite speakers?

Also, are there any upper limits on the power a high level input on an amp can accept with respect to output power?

 

[markw]

What do you mean "amps"?

You can't daisy chain amps.

Now, what exactly are these units? I doubt DBX made amps, but I could be wrong.

 

[tubesaregood]

In a way, they did. BSR bought dbx in 1979 and held it through the 80's, and they made a pretty large line of consumer electronics products with the dbx name. I own two MPA-150 mono amplifiers, an XB140 subwoofer amplifier, a db-SW15 Plus passive subwoofer, a Soundfield 3X2 subwoofer/satellite speaker set, and a pair of Soundfield V speakers.

In addition to these, they made the BX series power amplifiers, the CX preamplifiers, DX-3 and DX-5 CD players with signal processing not unlike the original dynamic range enhancing units they're famous for. They also made a few different other speakers, including some very high end Soundfield stuff that required their proprietary crossover unit or whatever it was to work correctly.

 

[markw]

OK, they made amps.

Why do you want to connect the amps in series? What do you expect to gain, except the cumulative sum of all their distortion?

Oh, I have one of those subwoofers. I got it from DAK in 1990 or so. I got what I paid for.

 

[tubesaregood]

Well, I want to run my pair of Audio Pro monitors with my pair of mono amps, and from that, I want to run the dbx SW15 with the XB140. Then I finally want to run a pair of Epicure Model 14's.

Thanks for your opinion, too.

 

[markw]

Again, not knowing hte archeticture ofthe amps I'm shooting in the dark.

What is this "high level" to which you refer? Speaker level? If you've got speaker elvel inputs then you'ere good to go but not many decent amps use these, aside from some sub amps.

Well, I want to run my pair of Audio Pro monitors with my pair of mono amps

Are these integrated amps or power amps? Do you have a preamp output available anywhere? That's the normal tap for a subwoofer when there's no LFE/sub out

, and from that, I want to run the dbx SW15 with the XB140.

What do you mean "from that"? If that sub amp has speaker level inputs, you'll be fine. If not, you're on your own.

Then I finally want to run a pair of Epicure Model 14's.

From what? From the output of the sub or from the output of the mono amps?

Thanks for your opinion, too.

you're very welcome. enjoy...

Hey, it's your system. Do what you think is best for you.

 

[j_garcia]

I have to agree, I have never seen a separate amp aside from a sub amp that had high level inputs (though there may be some, just not very common). As mentioned, if that is the case, then your thinking is correct, however if those are not "inputs" that specifically strip off signal and do not use the power, then it won't work.

 

[tubesaregood]

I guess I should have been more specific. These are indeed speaker level inputs on these amplifiers. They are integrated amplifiers but they do not have preamp outputs. You have a choice of RCA inputs (but no outputs) or speaker level inputs, which do have outputs. Think of a typical subwoofer plate amplifier, except with an optional low pass crossover. Believe me when I tell you this. I own two of them and I know how they work. There's one on eBay right now if you want to check it out for yourself. These amps combine the left and right signals into a mono output to drive a subwoofer or center channel speaker or what have you. It also has a balance control so you can set the amp to produce only one channel, hence why I can use one amp per speaker in a stereo configuration. It supports two speakers (for example, running two subwoofers) or it can be bridged. They are quite a strange design, but they are hot stuff.

Here's my plan. Spectro Acoustics 500SR (yes I have a preamp for it) speaker level output into the MPA-150, which will drive one monitor speaker. I will set the balance on this amp to either right or left. Then, I will run the speaker level OUTPUTS from this amplifier into the OTHER MPA-150 and drive the other monitor with that amp. One amp/speaker pair does right, the other does left. Finally, the speaker level outs from the second amp will go into my subwoofer amp, which will drive my subwoofer. Then, the speaker level outputs from the sub amp will drive a pair of Epicure Model 14's. So essentially the Spectro will be driving the Epicures, after that speaker level signal is tapped by three amplifiers to drive the monitors and the subwoofer. You dig?

 

[markw]

Well, it seems you're more familiar with this odd gear than us.

So, I guess you're pretty much on your own.

All I tried to get across up front is that it's not really good to feed a speaker level input into a line level input. If you observe that rule, you should survive.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[tubesaregood]

I know very well that bad things will happen feeding the several watts from speaker wire into the line level inputs that use a few hundred milliwatts at best. I just wanted to make sure that daisy chaining said amps using speaker level inputs/outputs won't cause any problems.

One thing I forgot to mention is that one of my MPA-150's and the XB140 appear to be f'ed, unfortunately. Stupid eBay. I'll either get them fixed or return them. So it may be awhile before I get my setup working...

 

[budz]

dbx xb140

Tubesaregood -

I am new here and can't view profiles, so I don't know if you are anywhere near me at all. I have a dbx xb140 (along with the five speakers it came to me with) and I am looking to sell. If you are at all interested, please let me know. Unfortunately, I may have to move these in just a few days. So, if I don't hear from you soon, they may be gone.

Allen

ps -- I don't normally do this sort of thing... really! I just happened to do a google search on these speakers and amp and found your post here. I am looking to sell and you seem to be very interested in this system. If you are not, you'll likely never hear from me again.

 

[dubrzz]

Tubesaregood -

I am new here and can't view profiles, so I don't know if you are anywhere near me at all. I have a dbx xb140 (along with the five speakers it came to me with) and I am looking to sell. If you are at all interested, please let me know. Unfortunately, I may have to move these in just a few days. So, if I don't hear from you soon, they may be gone.

Allen

ps -- I don't normally do this sort of thing... really! I just happened to do a google search on these speakers and amp and found your post here. I am looking to sell and you seem to be very interested in this system. If you are not, you'll likely never hear from me again.

Are your speakers still available? thanks

 

[chadnliz]

You can't daisy chain amps.


You can Daisy chain amps, here is a Q&A about this,

Q: What does "daisy-chain" mean?
A: amplifiers that are "linkable" or "daisy-chain" able means that the amplifiers are able to connect to each other without any special equipment and combine their powers to create an even larger power output between two amplifiers. Our amplifiers that are "daisy-chain" able are stable down to 1ohm when run separate and 2ohms when run together.