I got a KEF KC62 subwoofer to try out and I’d like to connect it to my 332 preamp via the RCA outs.
However, when I checked with Naim support, they said: “The NAC 332 does not support running XLR and RCA outputs simultaneously.”
Is this really true?
I see there’s a switch on the back to turn RCA on/off near the XLR outs and I thought this is the same as what 222 has in its app, an option to have both XLR&RCA on as output.
I’m currently using XLR out to 350 amps and I’m scared to try the RCA outs as I’m not sure if I could break something?
You know, in majority of cases I would say the same. However, given a couple of people including my dealer say that it should work, I’m asking for the wisdom of the collective.
If this is indeed impossible, then it’s different from 222 and very surprising that a preamp cannot integrate a subwoofer via RCA.
How do people then integrate subwoofers in a 300 series system?
Use high level inputs from jumpers on the back of the speakers. That’s the recommended way to connect a sub in most stereo systems. The KC-62 has both RCA and high level inputs. Refer to the manual.
If the binding posts on the speakers support screw terminals, you just run normal speaker cable of choice from amp to speakers, and then something less fancy from speakers to sub. If they are active speakers, it may get more complicated, though many have a pre out pass through on RCA/XLR.
As you use passive speakers, you won’t have that problem.
Monoblocs or stereo, it makes no difference. You still have wires running from the back of each speaker to the sub. There is no difference in the configuration at all.
Though it certainly can be messy. Yet not impossible to dress tidily.
The KEF should come with a high level cable in the box. At least both of mine did. Sort of blue wire with a Molex connector at the sub end.
In which case, might a quiet word in Support’s ear be appropriate? It’s not exactly ideal for them to be telling customers something that’s actually incorrect.
Hi, yes the RCA output works great for an active sub, although I’m not using it at the moment I did for a while for watching films.
However I suspected that having both outputs active affected the sound quality for music playback and I asked support about it, this was their reply:
Yes, having the RCA output on your 332 enabled can potentially affect the sound quality through the XLR outputs due to the shared voltage between the two connections. Ideally, it’s better to send voltage to just one output at a time. However, in your case, if you’re considering adding an active subwoofer for watching films, it’s still preferable to let the 332 handle the processing rather than relying on the subwoofer’s internal processing.
For music streaming, you can turn off the subwoofer to avoid affecting the sound quality, which is a good approach. The switch to enable or disable the RCA output is there to give you control, and its existence does suggest that it can have an impact on the output.
This worked great and I’ll probably go back to it … I have recently dismantled my 5.1.4 surround system … simplifying!
Lastly they said that the 332 should be powered off when changing the switch, i.e. not just in standby.
Thanks for this information @Mark63! Especially the part on changing the switch. Naim equipment is really sensitive to changing any switches as we see in the new firmware thread.
… and yes, if in doubt power off fully!