Hello, I had a Pioneer sx315 receiver that died recently. I was using it to drive a nice set of front 3-way cabinet speakers and decent surround speakers. I was also using it to drive a nonpowered sub. I do not require anything super fancy in terms of features, just a good quality amp, an optical sound input would be nice. I use this system in my living room to listen to music and watch movies. I am having a really hard time finding a receiver that has an actual sub amp in it and not just a sub pre-out for a powered box. Any recommendations or do I need to start over? Thanks, Jake
had the same problem.seems almost impossible to find a receiver with an internal sub amp.i ended up buying an amped sub to go with my new receiver.got to say it sounds pretty damn good too.
Thats what I was afraid of, I really like my sub though, would be a shame to give it up for such a simple problem... What powered sub did you end up with, what receiver do you use? Does anyone have a list of receivers that do have internal sub amps?? Thanks, Jake
usually powering a sub requires a lot of amperage output for an amplifier. this is the reason most receivers do not include a built in internal sub amp. good sub amps are usually digital switching amps now a days. my favorite powered subs are that of the jl audio line, especially the jl audio fathom f- 113. a inexpensive solution to your problem may be to use the sub out connection to an amp (purchased on ebay) to power your sub
OHH! Thats perfect! I love JL audio, now if I could only justify spending $4000 on a sub woofer... What 'ebay' amp would you recommend, i only need about 100-150 watts rms. Cheers, Jake
hey there guys you're right the jl audio sub is great, i heard it at a convention recently, but in my opinion, the bob carver sunfire sub is still king. this is the one i have: http://www.sunfire.com/productdetail.asp?id=8 WELL worth the money. I can make mini earthquakes LOL. I actually did find a Kenwood amp on ebay that has a sub amp built in: http://cgi.ebay.com/Kenwood-KM-894-...in_0?hash=item1e58300930&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 as far as other stereo ebay amps, man there's tons. here is just a few i found. some start at $1 and go up from there: http://cgi.ebay.com/RCA-MPA120-STER...in_0?hash=item19b678442d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-AKAI-AM...in_0?hash=item1e585fb429&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Kenwood...ners?hash=item25566b00b5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/Marantz-Amplifi...ners?hash=item25566b00b3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/NICE-Marantz-MA...in_0?hash=item2a011ae1b6&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/ONKYO-M-5000-St...in_0?hash=item439a30a325&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/Hafler-DH-220-P...in_0?hash=item5ad366be84&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-Stereo...in_0?hash=item3355a9364d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/ONKYO-A-8048V-S...in_0?hash=item45ee2ae206&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/Kenwood-Stereo-...in_0?hash=item20ad4ad3f3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/TECHNICS-STEREO...in_0?hash=item27ab953875&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Integrated...in_0?hash=item3ca596ce90&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/Adcom-GFA-545-S...in_0?hash=item3ef86e0090&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 Also wanted to mention that there are amps designed for home theatre subs: http://cgi.ebay.com/Megabass-Jr-Sub...fers?hash=item53dc0ef2e3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 any one of those should easily suit your needs to power your sub
Ok I have a new question. The receivers now all have a sub preout for a powered sub. If I buy one of those sub plate amps from ebay to power the sub how do I hook it up? The receiver has 1 RCA output for the sub amp and the sub amp has L and R RCA line inputs as well as speaker level inputs. I assume that I will be using the line inputs as the receiver has a preout for the sub amp?? Since the sub amp only drives one speaker are the L and R line inputs just tied together inside? Can i just ran 1 RCA cable from the receiver to one channel of the amp? Also what do they mean by balanced vs unbalanced inputs? Thanks, Jake
yes you can just use one of the RCA line level inputs. usually one is meant for mono anyways, usually left. but yes, they get summed into one channel, so its fine. it has two inputs because it can accept a stereo line input. you don't need to bother with speaker level, line level is much easier. balanced and unbalanced audio are two different levels of audio. balanced usually uses XLR or TRS connectors, unbalanced usually uses 1/4" or RCA.
SVS makes one of the best subs on the planet. Just go to any home theater forum, and check around. This svs sub is cheap, and you won't find anything that will beat it, for the price: http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pc12_nsd.cfm These subs are truly amazing............
I actually have listened to the SVS subs. (My buddy owns a high end home theatre installation company so we get to "sample" the products.) I have also heard them at a couple of the electronic and audio production expos the past few years. For the money it is a good sub, but I disagree with its claims that it is better than the $3000 subs. I disagree with this for the simple fact that i own a $3000 sub (the bob carver sunfire ts-eq12) and it does not come close to the volume or quality of bass that the sunfire has. it's volume of bass comes from its large bass port, since it only has 300 or 400 watt amp (I can't remember its been a few years.) if you listen to them side by side, you can tell a major difference in bass from a low watt ported sub and a high watt sealed sub. but like i said, for the money they are very good and well worth it. my only gripe is their claim that its better than the high end ones.
Hey dj, I must agree, there is nothing like a high powered sealed sub. High power that is controlled is incredible. After Bob Carver sold his name brand, and began Sunfire, I began to look up to his products again (his Carver line got too commercialized for me). Although I am not a fan of his tracking downconverter amp design, I must admit they work well enough. His sunfire powered subs are stunning (as well as his theatre grand pre pros). Alas I must admit,I am smitten by JL Audio HT subs
hey there yeah JL Audio makes great subs as well, I have them in my car. Very good quality construction. thats funny you mention that about the downconverting circuits...i've heard that numerous times. and everyone has a different reason...why are you not a fan, out of curiousity?
dj, the tracking downconverter is a electrical engineering way to make an amp that is less expensive. In normal amp design, there is a power supply, large filtering caps and the power transistors. The down converter system uses the wall power line as the filtering supply, so if there is voltage fluctuation, the quality of the sound suffers (read distortion) . This occurs in high usage times (as in hot weather when the ac is on, yours and everyone elses). I am old school and like linear power amp design (although I am warming up to digital switching amps- for powered sub use only) just my thoughts
yeah I agree, that makes a lot of sense. I believe the tracking downconverter is a version or variation of class D amplification. I think for sub woofer amplification it is good because it is much more efficient than other types of circuits, but I don't think it would work for full range applications. hey what kind of JL Audio subs do you have? I'm very familiar with their car subs, but don't know too much about their home theatre line of products.
Hey dj, I own a JL audio Fathom f-113 (1- 13.5" driver, 2500 watt amp ) Wish I could own a Gotham G-213 (2- 13.5 inch drivers and 3800 watt amp)
very nice. i'm not familiar with JL Audio's home theatre products, only their mobile subs. Honestly up until a couple months ago I didn't even know they did home theatre stuff...I thought they were stricly a mobile audio company! Hey I see in your profile you are from Cali. What part? I live in the san fernando valley (part of Los Angeles County.)
