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Post by tjochum24 on Oct 30, 2015 21:58:27 GMT -5
So i'm going to make this as short and through as possible. So for my two channel listening system i have been using my Stealth DC-1 to run a pair of Emotiva Airmotiv 6's and a KRK 10" sub woofer via RCA outputs. This combination has worked great for quite some time but i decided that i wanted to get some sealed subs and step it up a little bit. This is where the trouble starts, I recently purchased two SVS SB13 ultra subwoofers to replace the KRK that I had. Went to get everything set up last night i connected each subwoofer via XLR and then XLR to the corresponding speaker. However, when I did this my output on my subs was very low, i mean they wouldn't even really start to make noise until about -6bd on the controls of the subwoofer, max is 0db. So then i tried to hook up one of the subs via RCA like the i had the KRK hooked up, but this yielded the same result. I also tried to hook both speakers to one sub and the corresponding preouts, but again, same result. So i called SVS and told them my situation with the subwoofers and they believe that it is the output voltage from the DC-1 that is causing such a low volume out of the subs. They claim the SB13 ultras need atleast 330mv of voltage to run properly. I brought home my volt meter today from work and was only able to manage 110mv of output from the preouts on the DC-1. Does this sound right to anyone? I can't find specs for this anywhere, as a matter of fact I called Emotiva and they couldn't give me a straight answer. So now in quick a quite a predicament because i don't believe the DC-1 can properly drive the SB13's. Just to confirm this i hooked up a mini stereo to rca from my laptop directly into one of the SB13's and played some music and the sub was working properly and was very loud. So now i need a solution to this problem. I have seen voltage boosters of sort for preouts but i'm not sure if this is a good way to go or not, or if it will even work. Has anyone had any experience with something like this? Any and all input will be so appreciated it. If i can't get this figured out this subs will be going back to SVS and I would really hate that, they really are beautiful and look great in room. Thanks guys.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 30, 2015 22:43:32 GMT -5
What kind of signal are you putting into the DC-1 to get the 110 mV output? Are these test tones to get a steady state voltage, or is 110 just an average reading from a CD or something? I wouldn't think running the subs wide open should be a problem, but SVS could advise you better there. I imagine Emotiva was vague because it's difficult to specify what analog output you'd get with a specific digital input. I haven't tried subs with my DC-1 so can't help there, my AM5's have plenty of signal - as I'm sure do your AM6's. I'd certainly love a pair of SB13's for my main system, so I hope you can keep them.
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Post by brutiarti on Oct 30, 2015 22:47:35 GMT -5
Use the dc-1 as dac only and add an xsp-1 as preamp, you will gain bass management with an xsp
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Post by garbulky on Oct 30, 2015 23:03:06 GMT -5
Okay this may sound really stupid...do bear with me here. I'm just trying to help my friend But the DC-1 has A VOLUME CONTROL. 0.00 DB is LOUD. -50 DB on the display is soft! The closer it is to 0 db the LOUDER it is. It is not louder the closer it gets to a larger number like -50 db or -100 db. That is SOFT. Also... the volume control on your SOURCE ...like say your PC needs to be maxed out. Stupid stuff but these could easily case the issue. The DC-1 can output I believe 2V (2000MV) at line output on a fully scale signal from RCA and 4V on balanced. The other thing is do the SVS's have a subwoofer selection switch that toggles between XLR and RCA? And lastly....do you have your subwoofer crossover settings turned UP past the bottom number, and is the gain on the subwoofer MAXED out? If your still not getting any volume then there's something wrong. The DC-1 can easily provide as much juice as a laptops line output. I am of the opinion that your signal is too soft. Either due to the volume control of the DC=1 being too low or the software volume control on your source like Windows or the music player or youtube or pandora or what have you being set too low. On windows there's the main speaker icon found at the bottom of your task bar. And there's a second volume speaker icon found on your software player. P.S. : The XSP-1 is an excelletn preamp and does sound very nice. But it isn't necessary to make the subs work.
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novisnick
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CEO Secret Monoblock Society
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Post by novisnick on Oct 30, 2015 23:03:11 GMT -5
Use the dc-1 as dac only and add an xsp-1 as preamp, you will gain bass management with an xsp This is a great way to go, the sound will rival the XMC-1. that said my friends over at PSA fixed me up with a solution,,,,and at no charge. This sub was at the end of a long run and wasnt receiving enough juice. The adjustment helped me dial it right in. Been jaming great ever since. Warning! I am not an engineer or extremely educated in the area of electronics. seek more advice, please!
Good luck buddy!
This fixed me up. www.mcmelectronics.com/product/MCM-CUSTOM-AUDIO-50-14820-/50-14820
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novisnick
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CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,213
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Post by novisnick on Oct 30, 2015 23:06:28 GMT -5
Okay this may sound really stupid... But the DC-1 has A VOLUME CONTROL. 0.00 DB is LOUD. -50 DB on the display is soft! The closer it is to 0 db the LOUDER it is. Not the closer it gets to a larger number like -50 db or -100 db. Also... the volume control on your SOURCE ...like say your PC needs to be maxed out. Stupid stuff but these could easily case the issue. The DC-1 can output I believe 2V (2000MV) at line output on a fully scale signal from RCA and 4V on balanced. The other thing is do the SVS's have a subwoofer selection switch that toggles between XLR and RCA? And lastly....do you have your subwoofer crossover settings turned UP past the bottom number, and is the gain on the subwoofer MAXED out? If your still not getting any volume then there's something wrong. The DC-1 can easily provide as much juice as a laptops line output. Very good advice!! Sometimes we miss the little things! We've ALL been guilty of this.
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Post by tjochum24 on Oct 31, 2015 9:48:25 GMT -5
Okay this may sound really stupid...do bear with me here. I'm just trying to help my friend But the DC-1 has A VOLUME CONTROL. 0.00 DB is LOUD. -50 DB on the display is soft! The closer it is to 0 db the LOUDER it is. It is not louder the closer it gets to a larger number like -50 db or -100 db. That is SOFT. Also... the volume control on your SOURCE ...like say your PC needs to be maxed out. Stupid stuff but these could easily case the issue. The DC-1 can output I believe 2V (2000MV) at line output on a fully scale signal from RCA and 4V on balanced. The other thing is do the SVS's have a subwoofer selection switch that toggles between XLR and RCA? And lastly....do you have your subwoofer crossover settings turned UP past the bottom number, and is the gain on the subwoofer MAXED out? If your still not getting any volume then there's something wrong. The DC-1 can easily provide as much juice as a laptops line output. I am of the opinion that your signal is too soft. Either due to the volume control of the DC=1 being too low or the software volume control on your source like Windows or the music player or youtube or pandora or what have you being set too low. On windows there's the main speaker icon found at the bottom of your task bar. And there's a second volume speaker icon found on your software player. P.S. : The XSP-1 is an excelletn preamp and does sound very nice. But it isn't necessary to make the subs work. Hey guys! Thank you for all of the above advice. I have been busy trying to get this stuff sorted out but i haven't had much success however. As far as the volume controls go on the subwoofer, yes the gains are in fact turned up both on the crossover section (current slope is -12db) and the gains on both subs is set at -0db. I'm running my laptop through Jriver media and have it set so that only the DAC can control the volume so that isn't a problem there either. Just for the fun of it i have run the DC-1 through other sources too with a bluetooth adapter and still came up with the same results . BTW, i measured the output of the preouts using a Fluke 87 meter and measuring directly off of the RCA's themselves. Believe me guys, at this point i am very baffled and am trying everything i can, i'm getting a tad discouraged at this point having these two 100lb monsters sittting in front me not making much noise . I still really think a signal booster will be the way to try and solve this? Novisnick said that PSA hooked him up with a signal booster and that helped him tremendously. To me it really sounds like this is what i am running into. I was maybe thinking this...http://www.aphex.com/products/124b/
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Post by tjochum24 on Oct 31, 2015 9:48:51 GMT -5
Hey guys! Thank you for all of the above advice. I have been busy trying to get this stuff sorted out but i haven't had much success however. As far as the volume controls go on the subwoofer, yes the gains are in fact turned up both on the crossover section (current slope is -12db) and the gains on both subs is set at -0db. I'm running my laptop through Jriver media and have it set so that only the DAC can control the volume so that isn't a problem there either. Just for the fun of it i have run the DC-1 through other sources too with a bluetooth adapter and still came up with the same results . BTW, i measured the output of the preouts using a Fluke 87 meter and measuring directly off of the RCA's themselves. Believe me guys, at this point i am very baffled and am trying everything i can, i'm getting a tad discouraged at this point having these two 100lb monsters sittting in front me not making much noise . I still really think a signal booster will be the way to try and solve this? Novisnick said that PSA hooked him up with a signal booster and that helped him tremendously. To me it really sounds like this is what i am running into. I was maybe thinking this...http://www.aphex.com/products/124b/
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Post by garbulky on Oct 31, 2015 10:12:39 GMT -5
You may end up needing that signal booster. Just for kicks turn off that DAC controls the volume control and make sure that the J river control is maxed out. And the windows volume control is maxed out.
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Post by tjochum24 on Oct 31, 2015 10:17:16 GMT -5
Yes they both are. So say I did go the XSP-1 route, what would be the best way to hook up the DC-1 to it and the corresponding XLR's.
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Post by tjochum24 on Oct 31, 2015 10:35:07 GMT -5
Also another thought that went through my head ( i know it's probably ridiculous) but am i maybe just expecting too much of the SB13's? I wouldn't think this is the case given that they are 1000W RMS a piece..
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Post by garbulky on Oct 31, 2015 11:27:18 GMT -5
No bud. They should be rocking your world....something's wrong...Have you tried hooking up your blu ray player to the DC-1 and play something?
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Post by tjochum24 on Oct 31, 2015 11:51:32 GMT -5
No bud. They should be rocking your world....something's wrong...Have you tried hooking up your blu ray player to the DC-1 and play something? I haven't tried that yet. Im actually on my way over to talk to some guys over at a place called sound environment to see if i can get my hands on a pre/pro and give that a shot. I will give the blu ray thing a shot when i get home
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Post by tjochum24 on Oct 31, 2015 14:32:27 GMT -5
Update: Blu-ray player worked like a champ with the subs. Which really only leads me to believe that is the DC-1 at this point...
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Post by garbulky on Oct 31, 2015 15:00:33 GMT -5
Update: Blu-ray player worked like a champ with the subs. Which really only leads me to believe that is the DC-1 at this point... Do you mean the blu ray player connected DIGITALLY to the DC-1 worked like a champ? That's what I wanted you try. That would ensure that you are not getting some wierd foolery going on with WIndows and J river.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 31, 2015 21:01:41 GMT -5
+1...
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