Forums - Subwoofer high level connection?

Hearafter Seasoned Member “In Tubes We Trust” Posts: 362	Subwoofer high level connection? 01/26/26 at 18:36:47 I am looking to upgrade a sub for my Taboo and wanted to ask what is the best way to connect a sub that doesn’t have high level speaker inputs just low level RCA inputs? Thanks
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CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 3211	Re: Subwoofer high level connection? Reply #1 - 01/26/26 at 19:08:04 If your preamp only has a single RCA output I guess you have to split it. But if it were me I'd insist on a sub that had speaker level inputs. JMO and all that.
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Hearafter Seasoned Member “In Tubes We Trust” Posts: 362	Re: Subwoofer high level connection? Reply #2 - 01/26/26 at 19:17:33 CA James, Thanks… Pretty much where I landed but wanted to ask others who may have set it up. This is my second system with no preamp just the Taboo and Zrock.
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Hearafter Seasoned Member “In Tubes We Trust” Posts: 362	Re: Subwoofer high level connection? Reply #3 - 01/27/26 at 02:20:22 Looks like I found one solution…. https://www.svsound.com/products/svs-soundpath-speaker-level-subwoofer-adapter?s...
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CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 3211	Re: Subwoofer high level connection? Reply #4 - 01/27/26 at 02:36:01 Do you think attenuating the speaker output is better than splitting the amp input? To me, the splitter seems clearer, but JMO/YMMV and all that.
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Hearafter Seasoned Member “In Tubes We Trust” Posts: 362	Re: Subwoofer high level connection? Reply #5 - 01/27/26 at 05:39:53 Not sure until I listen…so are you saying another option would be to split the source (Dac no preamp) out cables to have one set go to the amp input and the other set goes to the sub inputs? Thanks
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CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 3211	Re: Subwoofer high level connection? Reply #6 - 01/27/26 at 14:20:23 I'd split whatever is connected to amp. You said you have a ZROCK (which is functionally a preamp IMO) so I guess that, but if it is the DAC, then split the DAC. If you have a splitter no downside to trying both.
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Hearafter Seasoned Member “In Tubes We Trust” Posts: 362	Re: Subwoofer high level connection? Reply #7 - 01/27/26 at 15:50:03 Thanks CAJames…that will give me a few other options to try out. Split the Zrock outs, split DAC outs or add a high level to low level converter. Appreciate your input!
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Hearafter

Seasoned Member

“In Tubes We Trust”

Posts: 362

Re: Subwoofer high level connection?
Reply #8 - 01/29/26 at 08:14:29

Well, I gave 2 of these options a try but neither worked out! Splitting the ZRock out to my sub and Taboo it just buzz’d even switching polarity. Splitting my DAC out to my sub and Taboo got just garbled low music noise.
Best to limit my sub choices to ones that have high level inputs…limits the choices considerably.

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Aric Super 300B SET/TabooMK3
Supratek Cabernet Pre
Mojo Mystique X’25 NC DAC
Sonore Sig Rendu SE Dlx/opticalmodule
Vera-Fi LNBH, SSZ, MS, SW
Sonido SWR096FC Towers
Vanguard Caldera Sub
SDFB-Graphene Slugs
Veritas Cables
ZMF HP’s/Zrock3

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JBzen

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1678

Re: Subwoofer high level connection?
Reply #9 - 01/29/26 at 10:33:25

Use the adptor that you provided the link for. The output of a Z-rock or DAC will not keep step with the adjustable gain of the power amp.
A couple 10k 1/2 watt resistors can be used hooked in series(one each for channel) to the plus terminals of each channel with the tailing end of the resistors tied together.That joint becomes the + input for the low level input of the sub. The negative input of the sub is connected to the negative side of both speaker outputs. This sums the output to mono, drops the voltage of the speaker output, and lightens the load on the amp.
I've used circuits like that before without issue on solid state amps. Don't see why it will not work with tubed gear.

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Karl

Senior Member

Posts: 56

Re: Subwoofer high level connection?
Reply #10 - 01/29/26 at 21:41:11

I went through a similar situation recently. I have my Torii 2 channel system sitting with but electrically independent from my home theater. I wanted to add the home theater subs to the Torii based system. My Vandersteen subs only have RCA level connections and no internal crossover. They are meant to be controlled by an AV receiver.

I tried to use the SVS hi level to low level converter but also had a noise issue.

I tried to use an active external crossover between the preamp and the Torii. The first one I tried was an inexpensive Rolls SX-95. Not the final word on transparency but it let me know I was on the right track. Now I use a Sublime Acoustics K235 crossover and I am very happy. The use of the crossover lessens the load on the Torii as bass signals are rolled off to the subs.

If I were doing it from scratch I would likely go for the speaker level inputs on a REL sub, especially if your amp/mains do well with a full frequency signal and you just want to add sub base.

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Hearafter

Seasoned Member

“In Tubes We Trust”

Posts: 362

Re: Subwoofer high level connection?
Reply #11 - 01/29/26 at 23:01:41

Karl, Great input much appreciated. Scratch the SVS high to low converter off my try list. My current budget HT Polk sub has the high level speaker clips and works perfectly with no noise so I will be looking at a sub upgrade with similar high level connections. This system (Taboo, Zrock3, Gustard R26 DAC/streamer, DIY ZROB, Polk Sub) is a second 2 channel system that shares space with my HT system room as well. I am trying to keep it simple with minimal components so I don’t want to add a crossover. I am really surprised how good this system is sounding. The DIY ZROB’s have been an eye opener. But they do need bass support. I think this system would be even improved with more detailed, cleaner and faster bass support.

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Aric Super 300B SET/TabooMK3
Supratek Cabernet Pre
Mojo Mystique X’25 NC DAC
Sonore Sig Rendu SE Dlx/opticalmodule
Vera-Fi LNBH, SSZ, MS, SW
Sonido SWR096FC Towers
Vanguard Caldera Sub
SDFB-Graphene Slugs
Veritas Cables
ZMF HP’s/Zrock3

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