Help connecting components

J

JurisHP

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Jun 26, 2021
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Location
Philadelphia, PA
Help! I’d love it if anyone can tell me how to connect the following: MC152 amp to an MA5300 (integrated amp being used as a pre-amp) keeping in mind that I have a Cambridge Audio Minx X201 sub which is currently connected to the 5300 and a MEN220 on the way.
If you could explain the best way to connect ALL of these devices plus my speakers (Focal Chora 826-do they go into the 152 or stay in the 5300?), I'd be grateful.
 
Not really familiar with this particular set of equipment and the following is for a (typical) setup of this type.
If you are using the 5300 as a preamp only then you would use a preamp output from the 5300 to the 152 input.
If you have a second set of preamp outputs on the 5300 you could use them for the sub.
The main speakers would then connect to the 152 which is now your power amp.
 
His problem is that there is only one pair of pre-amp out RCA plugs, and to use them, you unhook the amplifier. And, the Sub he listed does not have speaker level inputs.

1) look for some sort of crossover box that separates out the low frequencies from the rest, sending separate RCA interconnects to sub and main amp.

2) get an RCA splitter item (Y cable vs adapter)

3) get a different sub, that takes speaker level output (speaker wires from amp to sub)

4) get a different sub with crossover module that has RCA outputs to the main amp

All of these have advantages, and disadvantages.
 
It looks like your MEN220 might be able to do all you need by itself. Just run the preamp outputs from your MA5300 to the inputs on the MEN220. The high outputs to your MC152 and the low outputs to your sub(s). This is how it appears to work, but I have never used one.... soooo.....

I think this might work (ps... I just checked McIntosh's connection guide for the MEN220 and this does indeed appear to be the correct way of connecting it):
Hookup.JPG
 
Most subs, certainly anyone I have ever seen with low level inputs have the ability of running off a single input. Many have only one but most allow to plug in only one. Therefore the left low output to one sub, the right to the other. Easy as pie... that is the way I run my two subs.
 
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