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High Pass Filter Setup Question (RCA and XLR combo

Uy Lam

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I have a quick opinion question on how people would set-up their system and utilize the high pass filter in their sub for good system integration.

My Setup:
Passive Speakers: (Currently Kef Q150s, but I am considering upgrading to the ELAC DBR-62s in the future)
Subwoofer: SB-2000
DAC: SMSL SU-8S

The next piece I plan on upgrading in the chain is a Stereo Amplifier to replace the Yamaha R-N602 in my setup (far too big, though performs adimirably).

I currently am doing the following:
USB (PC) --> DAC --> RCA to Sub (for the high pass filter) --> RCA to Yamaha via line in --> Speakers

All of the amplifiers I am considering seem to be XLR only, and I do want to keep the highpass filter from the sub.

I realize I can just get RCA to XLR cables to go from the sub to a Purifi or Hypex model (XLR only devices - I am currently eyeing a DIY Nilai500 when it comes out), but I can't help but wonder if there is a more elegant solution (perhaps involving a pre-amp, though admittedly I don't exactly know how the pre-amp would fit in this whole setup if at all).

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 

rwortman

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The DAC has XLR and RCA outputs. What is the problem?
 
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Uy Lam

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Not a problem per se, but I have read that offloading the low frequencies to the sub via the high pass filter does make a big difference. I feel like it does make a big difference based on the limited experience I have.

If I go the route of two separate outputs, then I wouldn't be taking advantage of the highpass filter. I did consider a miniDSP, but the DAC seems redundant since I just picked up the SMSL SU-8S DAC.

Thoughts?
 

rwortman

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I don’t buy the big difference. Do the speakers sound bad when run full range without a sub?
 
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Uy Lam

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I believe I can tell the difference, but it could just be my ears playing tricks on me. I guess I can play around with it and try both scenarios of:

A) DAC -> RCA -> Sub -> RCA to XLR -> Amp -> Speakers
B) DAC -> RCA -> Sub
-> XLR to Amp -> Speakers

I was just wondering if anyone had experience between these two scenarios and what their feedback looks like.
 
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