Correct way adding sub to bi amp setup

[Soul-Man]

Hi all

Got lucky on Ebay... now have a matching Arcam P85 to my A85. Been listening to the new bi amp setup for two days now. Great.

However... I now go louder without strain, better resolution I feel. but... now I know why some reviewers mention my Dali Ikon 6 lacks bass. Think I need to add a subwoofer to get the full sound I desire.

How to go about:

a) Simply connect the sub to P85 audio out as last link in the chain

or....

b) Invest in sub with both audio in/out and put it in between the A85 and P85 making using of the crossover in the sub. (so: A85 driving HF. Hook up sub to A85. Then hook up P85 via sub audio out and connect P85 to LF on the loudspeakers.

Makes sense?

NB: Any good recommends for a sub primarily for music?

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

Assuming your sub has pre-amp inputs (RCA plugs) -and its own internal power amplifier or amplifiers - I would put the sub as the last link in the "chain" after the A85 and P85, not in the middle. If it only has one RCA plug input you may need to buy a RCA plug Y-Cable (two males to plug into the Pre-Outs on the back on the amp to one female to plug the cable to the sub into) which you should be able to find at Maplins or on line.

I wouldn't put the sub in the middle of the amps in any circumstances, but I'll bet someone will be along shortly to argue differently....

 

[Big Chris]

Get a sub with high-level inputs (often called speaker level inputs) and you can run it from the SP2 terminals of the A85.

I have my PV1 connected this way. It allows you to switch the sub in and out as neccesary using the remote. Far easier than sodding around with the power switch on the sub itself.

 

[Soul-Man]

Thanks 🙂

connecting via speaker channel B, will not cause a power draw from the amp I take it?

 

[Big Chris]

Nah. The amp in the sub does all the heavy lifting, it only takes signal from the speaker ouputs of the A85.

Like I said, I've run my sub in this exact way for the last 4 years or so with no issues. FWIW, if you can stretch to it the PV1 go for a listen as it excels with music. If you can't stretch to it, you should still be looking at sealed subs rather than ported subs. Ported subs go lower, which is great for films but they lack the precision of sealed subs, which is the primary concern for music.