Hmm… So much for that.
It has left and right speaker-level in, so how do you suggest I connect? Why is this so difficult, haha?
Or should I get the XLR model and just use XLR connections? In that case, then I’d need XLR splitters!
Previously you mentioned Rhythmik recommended RCA - have you decided you’d rather try out high level?
If you do want to go high level and you’re only running the one sub, you would connect both left and right to the high level input.
Brian at Rythmik always recommends using the line level inputs because it is the most trouble free method and doesn’t result in user error damages to equipment. Speaker level input to most amps is no issue and can be done easily enough with Class D based amps with a little care. I have connected both pair of my Rythmik subs to Class D amps at one time or the other and found that just connecting the positive speaker terminal on the amp end to the amp and the negative terminal to an alternative grounding point solved the problem. Both positive’s to one sub and just one each if two subs.
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If I choose to go RCA, how long of a run is recommended? I could go XLR, but I’m already using XLR out of my SGCD to my M700s, so RCA would be easier, as long as there’s no weird grounding or noise problems.
I have a single rythmik sub hooked up to my DS SR. I use these. The one going to the left and right on the sub the others going to the left and right on the amp. Sounds great! I would like to try out the speaker levels inputs as Paul recommends but I am reluctant as my amp is class D and I have so far been unsuccessful in determining whether its design is one that wouldnt be damaged my doing so.
I’ve gone as far a three meters no problem as high frequency roll off is not an issue nor should noise at those low frequencies.
It’s pretty simple really. Just get a second set of inexpensive speaker cables and connect both sets of positive and negative connectors on the sub end. On the amp end connect just the positives to the amp and the negatives to an alternate grounding point. I used the grounding post on a Line conditioner.
Thanks, sounds straightforward enough. The only thing that gives me pause is Rythmik’s literature that states “Using outputs from complementary output amplifiers not only can damage our amplifier, it can use damage the source power amplifier itself. Please confirm with manufacturer of your digital power amplifier before using speaker level inputs.” I have no idea if my amplifier is a complimentary output amplifier or not (Wyred4Sound st 500) I tried to find out from Wyred4Sound but was unsuccessful. I have always wondered if I am missing something not hooking up that way but I sure don’t want to trash my amp and my sub at once by doing something wrong. 
I hear ya. I’m going through the same scenario as we speak :^ /
The ST-500 is 3rd gen IcePower so the same rules apply. With any Class D based amp as long a you use an alternative grounding point for the negative speaker wire you will be safe. My solution was to take a single run of 18 gauge “lamp cord” speaker wire and strip it back about six inches. I then wrapped it around the two negative speaker wire connectors and held it in place with electrical tape. I then ran that single wire stripped a normal amount on the other end to the grounding post on another piece of equipment. It has worked with IcePower, nCore and Nuprime Class D amps with no hum or other problems. The subwoofer amp just needs a ground it doesn’t care where it comes from as long as it’s not floating.
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Thanks dawkinsj, I will probably give this a go when I go through my spring cleaning procedure in the near future. You said inexpensive speaker wire, any recommendations on gauge etc. how inexpensive are we talking here. I have some old dh labs speaker cable laying around that I may use unless something cheaper will do the same job. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge:)
I just used a piece of the old Radio Shack clear 18 gauge that I had in the “wire bin” from a spool my son used to wire up his car audio gear. So anything will do.
great thanks !
UPDATE: I have been working at trying to hook up my Rythmik f12 sub via hi level inputs. I have been using the method dawkinsj suggested. I bought some 12 gauge speaker wire and hooked up bare wire to the +/- left and right on the sub. For the amp end I bought some banana plugs from best buy and have only the + l/r hooked up The speakers are hooked up to the amp with spades. The negs I have tied together with a orange twist connector (the kind you use for wiring an outlet) The negs are tied together along with another 12 gauge wire which I have attached to a grounding point on the back of my P 10. I must be overlooking something because with this connection I get nothing from the sub. No lower frequencies are playing from the sub. I have adjusted volume, phase, crossover point still nothing. When I go back to my previous connection. (Left and right outputs of the DS sr split with one set of outputs going to amp and the other set going to the line in on my sub) things work as they always have. I read the f12 manual where they stated that “high level inputs can be used together with RCA. its control functions are the same as Line-in.” So I tried hooking up hi level and Line in at the same time. This resulted in the same as having the hi level inputs alone hooked up. In other words no sound from the sub. What am I missing? The only thing I can think of is perhaps something in the sub is not working right or my banana plugs are not making a connection. They are the type that have a center pin that sticks into the wire. perhaps a different type of banana plug would yield better results. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks a lot!
I use this:
https://www.jensen-transformers.com/product/sp-2sx/
This is a speaker to line level converter. Eliminates the worry about class-D and bridged amplifiers with subwoofers. If you stick to the line level outs with your preamp (or the DS), I would still strongly recommend a Jensen isolator (https://www.jensen-transformers.com/product/sub-2xx/). This prevents noise and ground loop issues from being injected into the signal chain and is a noticeable upgrade from a direct to sub connection.
I agree with some comments above, I like the speaker level connection… just get the Jensen thing and put your mind at ease.
Wow. That’s an interesting device. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I have wanted to acquire a pair of subs to run from my Bel Canto REF600M monoblock speaker outputs but have been spinning my wheels because of concern for compatibility of class D (NCORE in this case) with ground issues. My preference would be to buy a pair of JL Audio d110 subs for my rather small room of about 12’ x 14’. JL recommends using their sub’s line level RCA inputs. So I suppose I could take a speaker wire from each of my monoblock speaker output terminals to the bare wire inputs on the back of the SP-2SX and use RCA outputs on the front of the SP-2SX to the go to the line level inputs on d100 subs. Is that correct?
Yes, that’s effectively what I am doing in my current setup. Rather than using bare wire, I’d recommend getting a couple of 2-pole speakon terminals (they are less than $4 each on Amazon) which are silly easy to connect to bare wire. Also, I believe that the outputs on the sp-2sx are balanced only, so you’d need XLR to RCA cables. But the gist is correct.
If it matters, I contacted Hypex a long time ago regarding the output of the nCore, and the negative terminal is at ground potential (as opposed to ICE powered amps). In the past, I had connected the high level outputs directly to a pair of HSU subs without issue.
For sound quality and long-term piece of mind, however, I still recommend the Jensen thing - it is money well spent in this hobby.
Great. I have XLR to RCA adapters so not an issue there but might need longer balanced IC’s to reach the sub’s final resting places. But I’ll need to construct a pair of Speak-on terminated speaker cables which is easy enough.
So according to Hypex the nCore amps employ standard ground without any DC offset thus allowing use of the negative terminal at the amps output for a standard ground. Did you notice any hum at all from your HSU subs with the direct high level connections? I guess using using the Jensen SP-2SX would guarantee total hum suppression then. If so the 200+ is a small price to pay for that.
In my case, there was no hum whatsoever. It is difficult to confirm as I now have an entirely new system, but I think the Jensen improves the sound quality over direct to sub.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105438.780
In this link, I quote a response from Jan Peter regarding the nCore output. Electrically, you are safe to go direct to high level inputs of the sub, but you could always give the Jensen try thereafter.
I would add that the recommended cable length from transformer to sub is 1 to 3 meters. Longer speaker cables would therefore be better.
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