I’m considering buying a REL T/7x to use with my Naim system:
NAC 102
HiCap
NAP 180
Klipsch Heresy I
I want to use the REL via the High Level (Speakon) connection rather than RCA.
My question is about the black (ground) wire.
Since the NAP 180 only has the two Naim speaker sockets already occupied by my speaker cables, I would probably connect the REL’s red and yellow wires at the speaker terminals instead of the amplifier.
Where should the black (ground) wire be connected on this setup?
Should it be connected to:
the NAP 180 chassis,
the NAC 102,
the HiCap,
or left disconnected?
I’d really appreciate advice from anyone using a REL subwoofer with a NAC 102 / HiCap / NAP 180 combination.
The REL Neutrik cable should connect to the speakers for a high level connection (which is recommended) ie none of the above. With a single sub connect yellow and black to the + and - of one speaker respectively, and red to + on the other.
Theres a lot of info in the Forum on this if you search and REL have useful videos too.
I’m thinking of adding a rel to my tv system (Nait 5i). The Rel video seems to suggest connecting at the amplifier end of the speaker cable. I assume this is ok?
Naim amps are best used with the sub connected to the speaker terminals not the amp end. I don’t fully understand the techhnicalities of this but the phrase you will often find is because the amp does not ‘see’ the sub in this configuration. I am assuming this about load?
You are right @BruceW the amp does not “see” the sub when connected to the speaker terminals. One thing that people forget is that we have all chosen our speakers and speaker cables carefully, so that the system works as a whole. A sub connected at the speaker terminals “see” the speaker cables, so apart from the short distance from speakers to subs (in my case 1/2 a metre each) the sub becomes part of the whole system including your chosen speaker cables. They then become much much easier to integrate into the whole system.
Use the rel bassline blue for naim cable. Connect to amp. Ground at the amp black may work or may not work. If the latter ground at the preamp phono screw. To enable the rel cable to reach cut the black and extend it with some old speaker cable with a wire cap.
recommend do a search on ‘rel ground’. Much discussion on grounding rel subwoofers to help.
If the rel cable is too expensive designacable has an alternative that is much cheaper and is also designed for naim.
That’s correct, but of course you have to split the outer insulation to run the inner cables to the two speakers. Alternatively a competent cable supplier could make up a cable to your required length quite easily.
Remember that getting a sub to work really well in any room requires care with positioning, and it is usually necessary to move it around the room to see what works. Keep the cables long enough to do this, then you can trim them to the exact length required once setup is complete.
Using a specially modified cable to connect directly to the amp is another option, and if the optimal position for the sub happens to be closer to the amp, it may be the most practical option.