Yamaha A-S501 - Subwoofer Out doesn't send signals. Requesting advice.

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SkidNY

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I'm sure the 600's are great, my point is that a sub woofer may not improve the bass and may cause more problems. Most bass punch in recordings is around the 500-1,000Hz range not in the sub frequency range of 20-70 ish (unless you listen to modern electronic music and or EDM)
I actually listen to a pretty eclectic range of genres, except the two you mentioned (and hip hop). But having said that, there is a lot of deep bass to be enjoyed in jazz (which I love), classic rock and classical (think violas, bassoon etc). On the occasions when one is listening to these, not having the instruments to faithfully render the bass can be frustrating.
 

My2Cents

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I actually listen to a pretty eclectic range of genres, except the two you mentioned (and hip hop). But having said that, there is a lot of deep bass to be enjoyed in jazz (which I love), classic rock and classical (think violas, bassoon etc). On the occasions when one is listening to these, not having the instruments to faithfully render the bass can be frustrating.
A bassoon is mud in the 60-150Hz range and needs to be cut. A sub will reproduce the rumble if it exists... which is not good (although has probably been cut out during the mix/mastering).
Same with Viola; 150-200 is mud (above 500 will enhance the fundamentals of the lowest string).
Subwoofers are really good at enhancing 'mud' in classical music and are totally unnecessary.
60 - 80 Hz will enhance the thump of an upright bass in jazz, and most jazz music is well recorded and so a sub can be quite good in some cases... if your room can handle the length of the wave without creating room modes. Your neighbors are more likely to hear it more than you will.
With modern EDM they can help with <90Hz rumble... you feel it more than you hear it, they're good for rumble in movie soundtracks too.
That's why the x-over is usually set to about 90Hz.
 
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SkidNY

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May 11, 2024
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A bassoon is mud in the 60-150Hz range and needs to be cut. A sub will reproduce the rumble if it exists... which is not good (although has probably been cut out during the mix/mastering).
Same with Viola; 150-200 is mud (above 500 will enhance the fundamentals of the lowest string).
Subwoofers are really good at enhancing 'mud' in classical music and are totally unnecessary.
60 - 80 Hz will enhance the thump of an upright bass in jazz, and most jazz music is well recorded and so a sub can be quite good in some cases... if your room can handle the length of the wave without creating room modes. Your neighbors are more likely to hear it more than you will.
With modern EDM they can help with <90Hz rumble... you feel it more than you hear it, they're good for rumble in movie soundtracks too.
That's why the x-over is usually set to about 90Hz.
Got it, but now I have bought it! Will live with it and hopefully, love it :)
 

SkidNY

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Got it, but now I have bought it! Will live with it and hopefully, love it :)
Quick update, received the Klipsch Reference R-120SW and test fired it, using a mono audio RCA cable to connect the pre out on the Yamaha -S501 and the L/LFE in on the sub (both RCA). The bass literally blew me apart.
I was wondering if I will get better sound by using Y cable (split at the subwoofer end) so I connect both L and R on the subwoofer.
Any thoughts or advice, anyone?
 

SkidNY

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I have a new issue that I am requesting advice on.
I connected the Klipsch RP 600 MII bookshelf speakers and the Klipsch R120 SW to my Yamaha A-S501. Everything worked beautifully and I got rich, deep sound like never before. I played this on different types of music to test the capability as well as burn in the new speakers.
However, just this evening, the Yamaha A-S501 shut off. All its doing now is a blinking light at the power button. No other functions are active.
I checked the manual and went through all the probable causes listed under 'blinking lights' (see snapshot). Nothing works. Speaker wires aren't shorted, speakers are brand new (not malfunctioning). amp volume button was firmly in the less than 1/2 position, and there was no discernible heat coming off the amp.
I waited 30 minutes and restarted. Nothing.
2 hours later, its still showing blinking lights. I have disconnected everything, waited and then restarted.
All I get are the blinking lights, no action.
I would be very grateful for advice/help to find and fix the issue.
Thanks in advance.1715907247591.png
1715907247591.png
 

My2Cents

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Houston, it looks like you've got a problem... the good news is that you are in NYC and there are a million hi-fi repair shops!
Perhaps your neighbor came in and sabotaged it after you "got rich, deep sound like never before" LOL
 
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SkidNY

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May 11, 2024
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Houston, it looks like you've got a problem... the good news is that you are in NYC and there are a million hi-fi repair shops!
Perhaps your neighbor came in and sabotaged it after you "got rich, deep sound like never before" LOL
Unfortunately, amongst those millions are a lot of fly by night operators, not especially renowned for either scruples or tech skills. Trick is to find a good one, who wouldn't require me to take out a mortgage!
Anybody know any good people for amp/HiFi repairs in and around NYC?
 

SkidNY

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May 11, 2024
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Unfortunately, amongst those millions are a lot of fly by night operators, not especially renowned for either scruples or tech skills. Trick is to find a good one, who wouldn't require me to take out a mortgage!
Anybody know any good people for amp/HiFi repairs in and around NYC?
My neighbor's actually a pretty decent guy. He actually complimented me on my taste in music, as we happened to meet in the elevator. Hard to think he'd stoop to sabotage 😀
 

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