Using Y-cable to connect sub to pre without sub out

[vmajor]

Hi,

I have a hifi setup - not HT. I use a pre/power combo to drive my stereo speakers. I added a subwoofer to fill out the lowest frequency range. I connected it to the system using Y-cables to split the oudio output from the preamplifier - one set goes to the power amplifier, the other set goes to the subwoofer.

While this appears to work, will using a Y-cable and plugging the subwoofer into the circuit degrade the sound quality? Effectively the subwoofer and its amplifier are now part of the same electrical/signal circuit as my preamplifier (naturally), power amplifier and the main speakers. How much interaction can occur? One thing that comes to my mind is that there could be a lot more noise inserted by the subwoofer's power amplifier, there could be some channel separation loss, but what about other less startingly obvious sound quality degradation? Could there be increase in THD, intermodulation, other 'exotica'?

Could it work better if I use the high level inputs in the subwoofer and connect it using the speaker outputs on my power amp?

Cheers,

Victor

 

[jcPanny]

Test Y connections

Turn the volume on your sub all the way down. If you don't hear any difference in the performance of your Hi-Fi speakers with the Y's vs. Direct connection then the Y's are of good quality and you should be fine.

If you haven't bought all the Y connections yes, they speaker wire is probably cheeper then 2 or 3 Y adapters and RCA cables.

 

[vmajor]

Thank you for your advice. I did that - well something similar anyway. I first changed the Y-connectors to another set that I bought (cheaper but still well made). I then compared the sound through my mains with the sub on and with the sub off. It was the same.

Also I did not notice any of the audible artefacts that were present with the original set of Y-connectors.

Thus I am now satisfied that the original set of Y-connectors were in some way faulty. My sound is now very nice - I even managed to blend in the sub with my mains.

I tested the resistance of the original Y-connectors as I thought that perhaps they were malfunctioning in an electrical way. I did not measure anything odd with my multitester... nevertheless they are not going back into my system.

Cheers,

Victor