AV2 with n-SATs : connect n-SUB for both music and movies?

Mark,

I have N-Sats and have had an N-Sub (and have had an AV2 and now have one again, with great pleasure).

For what I can remember, you have three ways of connecting an N-Sub: with stereo RCA, as from a preamp or an integrated with full-range or stereo sub output; with mono RCA, named an LFE out, which is the 'correct' way of connecting a Sub to the AV2 because I believe it has a pre-set set of regulations and matches the movie standards like DD and DTS; and from the loudspeakers' binding posts.

I would definitely connect it via the LFE out, keeping in mind that you can adjust up to 6 presets in the Sub to match your preference, so have it one way for cinema and another for 2.1 stereo for just music, which is a good solution.

I have recently bought my second AV2, to use with a Nap 150x and my N-Sats, and I must say that - much as I remembered - it is a very good DAC for music, a versatile unit and one of my best loved Naim products. I use it with an Oppo DV980H.

Best

Max

(I forgot to mention that although I still have great interest for buttons and lights, I now slightly prefer buttocks and thighs... ops, sorry, this wasn't such a great pun)

Like Max I am a big fan of the AV2 and use it for AV purposes. I use the pre-out from my Pre-amp for music and LFE from AV2. If you are using only one connection then you will need to adjust the nSub settings when listening to music this can be done by having 2 nSub pre-sets one for music the other for AV.

Max, Gerry,

Thanks very much. The aspect missing to me was the n-SUB presets, so this is great news. I just need to track down an n-SUB now (I have demoed in the past and was impressed)!

Max - re: the enjoyment the AV2 brings in terms of DAC duties for music. Couldn't agree more. It took a little bit of fiddling on the Mac side to bring sparkle and life to the music but now, once done, it's sounding very enjoyable for a modest setup. 

Have either of you been able to attach a Headline to the AV2? My reading to date suggests this is not, unfortunately, possible with all digital inputs (no signal output in the analogue domain). 

-Mark

Hi Mark,

Yes, there are 6 pre-sets on the n-Sub, very useful.indeed. I do not like listening by headphones, and have never tried the Headline, although  looking at the manual the AV2 has an analogue tape output on output 1.

Gerry

Mark,

I am not sure that I understand your last remark, but the AV2 actually has an output under volume control in the form of the AUX2 input, which has, on the opposite set of pins where the signals enters, a second set of contacts that output the preamp controlled signals in analogue.

It is thought to integrate the AV2 into a stereo system: you connect it to a preamp or an integrated and control the volume from the AV2.

I don't know if this is what you need, but if you have a 'reversed' cable done (by an authorized person..) you can use this interesting output. See the manual, 12.1.

Best

Max

Of course, if the Headline has a volume control, the tape output is the right thing.

M

Thanks again, Gerry, Max.

Yes, I've seen these outputs, but having reviewed the manual again I think that these are all in the analogue domain and will only receive from the analogue inputs. This is also why I don't think we can use the AV2 as a "pure" DAC and pass on to e.g. pre-amp. It seems to be digital in -> digital out, or analogue in -> analogue out. 

From the AV2 manual:

"The av2 is also fitted with both analog and digital audio outputs. These outputs duplicate the selected input signal in either the analog or digital domain. No signal will be present on the analog output if a digital input is selected and similarly no signal will be present on the digital output if an analog input is selected. The analog outputs, connected via a pair of phono sockets, can be used to restore the amplifier tape monitor outputs if these have been used as a signal source for the av2. The digital output, available in both phono socket and optical TosLink formats, can be used to connect a digital audio recorder such as a CDR machine (if the digital data format is appropriate)."

I wonder if a hardware update to allow this functionality could be requested of Naim?!

-Mark

You are right.in fact I do not think there are any receivers that do this. The OPPO will probably have an analogue out, is that of any use to you?  

Gerry

Assuming the n-SUB.

For film (5.1) and music you will need two connections to the n-SUB.

The .1 LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel of a decoded film soundtrack is not the same as the low bass content of the other audio channels - it is a specifically encoded channel of - Low Frequency Effects.

As low bass is considered effectively non-directional this channel can be directed to a single subwoofer and energise the listening room successfully (some may argue). The connection for this is on the AV2 and may need adjustment in (AV2) settings.

For music - you'll feed a full range audio signal (either at high level from the speakers https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...nection-of-subwoofer or low level from the preamplifier power supply or (if present) sub output.

The sub is set to this input and the settings on the sub altered to give the best results.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...785#1566878605665785

Use the n-SUB remote to change between the 2 inputs.

When setting up for audio I found it useful to use several presets on the n-SUB - each using the audio input but set to different combinations of cut-off frequency, etc.

This allows easy access to alternative sets of parameters. I found a minimalist, effective but unobtrusive combination for my room but I retained a slightly dirtier set for thin sounding recordings.

Adam, thank you for the clarifications and insights. 

Do you know if the AV2 Centre out DIN socket is capable of providing low level sub out? This output is labeled "centre (sub) out" with appropriate indicators on the DIN socket for each. Could a cable be made to carry the sub out as line level to an n-SUB? But, then, how would you differentiate between the two AV2 sub outputs in that situation -- perhaps relevant decoding would route to the necessary output automatically e.g. 5.1 via LFE and stereo via low level out? 

Thanks,
Mark