Integrated with no Sub out

[ematthews]

How would I run my sub woofer with an Integrated Amp that has no Sub out?
Example. Marantz PM6004 OR PM8004

 

[Adam]

Which subwoofer do you have? That will help us know what connections it has, which helps to answer your question.

For example, if it has speaker-level connections (in and out) and a built-in filter, then you could run it in series with your front left/right speakers, and set those speakers to large. That way, the bass would be handled by your sub up to whatever frequency you set on its crossover, and the higher frequencies would be handled by your front left/right speakers. If you wanted the sub to handle the bass for all speakers, then you'd set up the integrated amp to send all bass content to the front left/right (if your integrated amp has that option - at least some do).

 

[ematthews]

Martin Logan Grotto. The Marantz doesn't have any setting like that... At least I can't find them.

 

[Adam]

Ah, I just looked up the Marantz. I didn't realize that they were two-channel systems. A lot of those don't include bass management or subwoofer outputs, which are very common in multi-channel receivers.

Unfortunately, your MartinLogan doesn't have speaker-level outputs, so you can't use it to filter the signal going to your main speakers. However, you might be able to get a good setting anyway. You could hook up the main speakers to the "A" speaker terminals on the Marantz, and hook up the sub to the "B" speaker terminals. You would need to adjust the low-pass filter on the sub to try and blend the sub in with the speakers. That's not ideal, but it's an option.

From your initial post, I take it that you haven't purchased the integrated amp, yet?

 

[ematthews]

Nope. Right now I am using all Emotiva gear. This is all for two channel. The integrated amp I am looking at is cheap. It would be as extra gear as well. Was just wondering how I would add a sub if needed. Seems like most of the time now a days we need a 2.1 set up for good sound. At least to me.

 

[Adam]

Are you set on Marantz? As an example of an inexpensive stereo receiver with a sub out, you could get the Onkyo TX-8050 for under $300. I don't know how it compares to the Marantz, though.

 

[ematthews]

No. But I do like the warm sound of Marantz.

 

[markw]

You'll want to insert it between the preamp and the power amp.

The details are covered in page 8 of your ML Grotto owner's manual. Generally, that 's the first resort to answering questions like these, or was before the internet made it simpler to ask others to do the research for one.

In case you can't find it, HERE'S a copy for you to work with.

FWIW. a quick glance at it makes reference to a high pass adjustment. I couldn't find that. Maybe you'll get luckier. I could find the low pass adjustment though.

 

[Adam]

You'll want to insert it between the preamp and the power amp.

It's an integrated amp, and I assumed that the main speakers would be powered by the Marantz.

If I'm wrong, go with what Mark said - that should work great.

 

[bikemig]

For the price of the marantz amps you are looking at, you could pick up an outlaw RR2150 stereo receiver that has a robust amp section (100 watts into 8 ohms and 160 into 4) and has bass management features. Plus it looks cool, .

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

 

[DS-21]

No. But I do like the warm sound of Marantz.

Marantz doesn't generally have a sound of their own. They offer competently-designed, sonically transparent gear.

That said, between those two, buy the 8004. It has a pre-out/main-in (main-in called "direct amp" or something like that) loop on it. So that gives you two options for running a sub.

(1) Run the mains full range, and blend the sub into them. That can work well, though it generally works better with multisubs. I run my bedroom system like that because my integrated (Meridian 551) as pre-outs with no main-in loop.

(2) Use the bass management on your sub. This will, mind, require two sets of RCA cables: one pair from the integrated amp's pre-outs to the sub's input, and one pair from the sub's output to the integrated's main-in. If you are one of those odd people who think different brands of wire have different "sound," that may get expensive. If you are reasonable, you can use any reasonably priced RCA cables for both runs.

 

[walter duque]

Why can't he use speaker level in and out? That's what we did 20 years ago.

 

[Adam]

Why can't he use speaker level in and out? That's what we did 20 years ago.

That sub doesn't have speaker level outputs.

 

[walter duque]

That sub doesn't have speaker level outputs.

What is this on page 9? I just thought all plate amps have speaker level inputs and outputs. But then again the last sub I bought was over 10 years ago, so I am a little behind times.

http://www.martinlogan.com/pdf/manuals/manual_grotto.pdf

 

[Adam]

What is this on page 9? I just thought all plate amps have speaker level inputs. But then again the last sub I bought was over 10 years ago, so I am a little behind times.

http://www.martinlogan.com/pdf/manuals/manual_grotto.pdf

The sub has speaker level inputs, but no speaker level outputs.

 

[walter duque]

The sub has speaker level inputs, but no speaker level outputs.

You must be right, because I am lost. I see level in and out. Maybe it's because of the Guiness Black Lager.

 

[DS-21]

Why can't he use speaker level in and out? That's what we did 20 years ago.

He certainly can, if that's easier to do. The plate amp has high-level inputs.

However, he won't have any possibility of a crossover on the mains that way. The sub has high-level ins, but they're not connected to any outputs, let alone outputs with a high-pass filter.

 

[walter duque]

He certainly can, if that's easier to do. The plate amp has high-level inputs.

However, he won't have any possibility of a crossover on the mains that way. The sub has high-level ins, but they're not connected to any outputs, let alone outputs with a high-pass filter.

I got it now. On the manual it looked like in and out put. My mistake.

 

[jonnythan]

... What on earth would you do with the speaker level inputs on a sub if there's no speaker level outputs??

 

[walter duque]

... What on earth would you do with the speaker level inputs on a sub if there's no speaker level outputs??

That is where I got lost. Thank you.