Subwoofer line level input

[bruss]

I have a sub with a line level input. Will the tape output from a Naim pre be suitable and keep time with the speaker outputs from the Power amp?

[bruss]

Answer is yes. Works well despite sub input taking a max 200mv and the Naim pre tape output at 75mv.

[james_n]

Although you won’t have any preamp volume adjustment via the tape output ?

[bruss]

Not needed. The sub has frequency cut off and volume adjustment. The only downside is that I won’t be able to get the windows shaking with 75mv vs the max 200 mv input, but then even at 40% of the dial its more than enough.

[james_n]

Just a bit of a faff with two volume controls.

[bruss]

Could be but this is just to fill in at low volumes. It will likely stay on the one sub volume.

[feeling_zen]

That is, honestly speaking, a really weird way to use a sub. It should have gain locked to your signal somehow, either a pre-out or high level taken from the speakers.

What you propose will technically work. But it doesn’t seem like a good idea at all.

[ChrisSU]

I’m inclined to agree, a sub needs to be set up very precisely to work in the room, otherwise it is very likely to take away more than it gives.

[JosquinDesPrez]

@bruss

Answer is yes. Works well despite sub input taking a max 200mv and the Naim pre tape output at 75mv.

The answer is no, that doesn’t work correctly. Tape output is fixed, like a line output. The sub low-level input should be from a volume-controlled variable output, like a pre-out or a dedicated sub-out. You’ll never make it work right using a line-level output.

[bruss]

You are of course all correct in that it works, but not correctly. The one piece of information you are missing though is that I am feeding the pre with an attenuated signal from the volume control on a node streamer, with a fixed gain(volume) on the pre. All for late night low volume listening.
Edit and postscript. The reason is to avoid long cable runs from the amp to the sub and back to the speakers.

[bruss]

Sub squeezed in near to the amp/speakers rather than across the room. That will allow me to rewire it properly. Meanwhile Harvey seems comfortable with Lou Reed as it is.