Connecting new receiver to old subwoofer amp

by dlpetrella Jan 20, 2005 1:27AM PST

I just purchased a new Pioneer VSX912 (Dolby Digital) receiever that has a single RCA type subwoofer output. The receiver basically expects you to connect this to a newer powered subwoofer (which I don't have). I have an older power amp (dbx xb140) and a seperate 15" dbx subwoofer. The amp has 'bare wire' inputs for left/right speakers and the same type outputs to left right speakers as well as the subwoofer. What is the best way to hook this up to get the most out of my components? Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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RE;

by Art Jan 20, 2005 2:10AM PST

Does the receiver provide the power to the Sub.? If not, then you either connect the sub. with an external power amplifier or maybe just a new power sub.

Or you might just connect it the old method and see if the the low frequency come through there or not. Have fun.

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sub

by bent Jan 20, 2005 5:42AM PST

If it doesn't have RCA inputs, the only way I can think that this will work is to connect the front L/R speaker outs from the receiver to the L/R speaker ins on the sub amp. Connect the L/R outs from the sub amp to your front speakers. Set the LFE output on your receiver to Front or Main (whichever it uses), not subwoofer.

The sub amp or sub should have adjustments for crossover frequency and volume. Adjust the frequency to somewhere around the low frequency cut-off of your front speakers and then adjust sub volume to match the fronts. This isn't ideal, but it should get you going I think.

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two solutions

by kpmagoo Jan 22, 2005 12:03PM PST

Keep your amp/sub set up and use this

12-Ft. Shielded Cable With One RCA Plug To Two Tinned Wires

$3.99 Brand: RadioShack
Catalog #: 42-2372

or make your own

Solderless, 2 red, 2 black. Package of 4.

Radio Shack
274-0384

or

Solderless 90

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re: two solutions

by perezra Jan 25, 2005 1:50AM PST

This sounds OK, RCA plug goes into the back of the receiver, but where does the two tinned wires go into?

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re: two solutions

by cthorstenson Feb 6, 2005 4:25AM PST

This sounds OK, RCA plug goes into the back of the receiver, but where does the two tinned wires go into?

Posted by: perezra Posted on: 01/25/2005 9:50 AM

The two tinned wires would connect to your subwoofer terminals. I have the same subwoofer and am considering doing the same exact thing you want to do. I am going to but a new Dolby 7.1 amp, and I want to use the same subwoofer, but I would rather not use the pre-amp that came with the setup. The way Perezra described the solutions sounds great. That way all of the control of the speakers, including the subwoofer, will be controlled by the the new receiver.
Please let me know how you make out with this option, as I will be buying a new receiver in the next week or 2.
Thanks,

Chuck

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Re: Connecting new receiver to old subwoofer amp

by Jimbobeck323 Apr 6, 2005 9:16AM PDT

I am in a similar situation. I wired a RCA jack into the sub amp and connected it to my receiver's line level sub output. There was very little driver response, just not enough output. I removed the circuit board and took it to someone I work with who is an electronics whiz. He's currently trying to determine if it's possible to modify the board to increase the output. Did you ever resolve the problem?

Connecting new receiver to old subwoofer amp

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