Subwoofer - 3 Sources Help

[Smithg97]

Hi all,

Looking for some guidance from those more experienced than me with trying to solve a setup idea I want to implement.

Currently I have all my AV equipment in my living room where I have a hybrid HT setup and a 2 channel music setup - the latter is a MiniDSP flex connected to Audiolab 6000A as power amp which is connected to my front HT L/R speakers. Additionally at the rear of the room i have my desk/PC setup where I have a Denon PMA-50 2 channel integrated amp connected to an amp selector switch so that I can also switch my desk speakers to be used as the rear channel of my HT setup.

The complexity comes with a change I want to make by swapping out the Denon PMA-50 with a MiniDSP SHD Power in order to integrate the 2x SVS PB1000 Pro subwoofers (which I have at the front of the room which are located in between the 2 L/R speakers of the HT) using the SVS SoundPath tri-band wireless transmitter/receivers. The problem is that each of the 2 subs is already connected to 2 different sources (MiniDSP Flex for 2ch at front of room + Denon AVR for HT at front of the room) so I'm struggling to think of a way to add a 3rd source to each of the subs without adding more switches into the equation unless they're capable of being switched using a Harmony remote - I am wondering if an RCA Y-cable/splitter might be the best way to go but hoping forum users might provide some food for thought here

 

[Devnull]

You can go with the Y cable to combine inputs but you should probably read the Rane Note Why not Wye.

 

[Smithg97]

You can go with the Y cable to combine inputs but you should probably read the Rane Note Why not Wye.

Is the gist of that basically if both amps are playing to the sub(s) through each Y-cable at the same time that it'll potentially damage the amp of the sub?

 

[DVDdoug]

It's OK to split a signal (2 or more INPUTS connected together) but IT'S NOT OK MIX OUTPUTS with a Y-Adapter. For that you need a mixer (which can be a simple resistive circuit or passive mixer, but there is typically 6dB of signal loss with a passive mixer).

And it doesn't matter if both are playing or not, or if one is off. DON'T SHORT OUTPUTS TOGETHER!

 

[Smithg97]

It's OK to split a signal (2 or more INPUTS connected together) but IT'S NOT OK MIX OUTPUTS with a Y-Adapter. For that you need a mixer (which can be a simple resistive circuit or passive mixer, but there is typically 6dB of signal loss with a passive mixer).

And it doesn't matter if both are playing or not, or if one is off. DON'T SHORT OUTPUTS TOGETHER!

Understood, do you have any info on what you mean by restrictive circuit? Is it something I can buy off the shelf and is it an automated switching process?

 

[Smithg97]

The other dilemma is whether the MiniDSP SHD Power is capable of applying enough delay to the speakers to time align with the subs considering the SVS tri-band transmitter/receivers add 19ms of delay I believe

 

[Devnull]

It's OK to split a signal (2 or more INPUTS connected together) but IT'S NOT OK MIX OUTPUTS with a Y-Adapter. For that you need a mixer (which can be a simple resistive circuit or passive mixer, but there is typically 6dB of signal loss with a passive mixer).

And it doesn't matter if both are playing or not, or if one is off. DON'T SHORT OUTPUTS TOGETHER!

Some, not all, line level outputs can be damaged if you drive them. That's why I said read the Rane Note

 

[levimax]

The other dilemma is whether the MiniDSP SHD Power is capable of applying enough delay to the speakers to time align with the subs considering the SVS tri-band transmitter/receivers add 19ms of delay I believe

I don't think 19ms of delay is a problem for the MiniDSP but I would be concerned about "variable delays" depending on how the SVS tri-band works. Do they mention that in the manual?

 

[Smithg97]

I don't think 19ms of delay is a problem for the MiniDSP but I would be concerned about "variable delays" depending on how the SVS tri-band works. Do they mention that in the manual?

I checked the online manual and no mention of any variability in the delay

 

[levimax]

I checked the online manual and no mention of any variability in the delay

Since it is made by a subwoofer company hopefully they thought it through. Time alignment of subs is harder than you would think, especially subs like the SVS with DSP which adds both latency and causes a rather unusual impulse response. I recently was integrating 2 SVS SB3000 and I used 6 different methods to set the timing and all came up with different answers. Thinking about adding in wireless delay made my head spin. Sounds like you have a nice system... have fun.

 

[Smithg97]

Since it is made by a subwoofer company hopefully they thought it through. Time alignment of subs is harder than you would think, especially subs like the SVS with DSP which adds both latency and causes a rather unusual impulse response. I recently was integrating 2 SVS SB3000 and I used 6 different methods to set the timing and all came up with different answers. Thinking about adding in wireless delay made my head spin. Sounds like you have a nice system... have fun.

I did manage to get the 2 channel setup at the front of the room sounding beautiful with the MiniDSP flex after some trial and error using MSO the only problem is to get everything flat the filters are applying a LOT of cut to the subs which limits my SPL a bit but I can still go loud enough to wake the neighbours

 

[Smithg97]

It's OK to split a signal (2 or more INPUTS connected together) but IT'S NOT OK MIX OUTPUTS with a Y-Adapter. For that you need a mixer (which can be a simple resistive circuit or passive mixer, but there is typically 6dB of signal loss with a passive mixer).

And it doesn't matter if both are playing or not, or if one is off. DON'T SHORT OUTPUTS TOGETHER!

Would you say the Fosi LC30 would be a good solution for the Amp switching?

 

[Smithg97]

I'm now stuck trying to choose whether to stick with the MiniDSP SHD Power option or go with the Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 anyone with hands on experience with both?

 

[Chromatischism]

I'm surprised you were able to get enough delay considering you need to not only account for the wireless signal, but to time/phase align the subs in the room adds even more to at least one of the subs.

 

[Chromatischism]

I'm now stuck trying to choose whether to stick with the MiniDSP SHD Power option or go with the Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 anyone with hands on experience with both?

You're probably at the point where you should be looking at an AVR. You'll spend the same as those units, but you'll get a lot more features out of it, plus better room EQ for the subs and bass section of all of your speakers.