Quote:
Originally Posted by orologio /forum/post/15461875
Are you sure that your sub cannot be connected hi and low level in the same time? I thought that is the pride of RELs. I can't help you in regard to the cable but I am starting to wonder the same thing as more and more amp's on the market are class d. Did you contact Sumiko? Let us know your findings, please.
Regards
Wow, I'm impressed, you guys are good! Not that I'm too surprised. I've been on these boards for over five years now. It's always interesting who I run into.
It was Kendra from Sumiko who told me to unhook my Stadium II from my Pioneer SC-07 (class "D" amp). After what she had told me (about the grounding issues) I was worried that I may have caused damage not only to my Stadium II, but also to my new Pioneer SC-07 receiver. She told as long as I did not see "white smoke" coming from my equipment, I'm probably fine.
She was very serious as to how my Stadium II was being hooked up to the new receiver so that's why I'm being very cautious about this. She seemed very informed. So informed, at one point I asked her if she was a engineer. That's when she told me she was the head sales rep.
She said when I order the cable, I needed to stress the word "Digital" within the description "High Level Digital Cable". Otherwise I might end up with the wrong cable. She gave me a number to a company in Tempe AZ to call to order the cable, however when I called, the number was disconnected.
By the way folks, when I discovered all of this, it was Christmas Eve. I was simply very lucky to get a hold of ANYONE that afternoon. Luckally for me, I had only had my new Pioneer SC-07 receiver for only about a couple days and may have only operated it with the Stadium II for maybe about a couple hours at the most.
I will say, when the Stadium II was switched from my old Adcom amp to the new class D receiver, I noticed almost right away that the Stadium II was outputting at a MUCH lower level. I did not think much of it at the time as I was thinking it probably had to do with the differences in electronics with the new receiver. I then turned up the volume control on the Stadium II so the level could be about the same as it was when it was hooked up to my older Adcom amp. However the reproduction from the Stadium II did not seem the same. It did not seem very musical. It really was not producing a smooth low frequency response. It seems "choppy"...or "stressed". What ever the description, it did not seem to play effortlessly like it did when it was hooked up to my Adcom amp.
Still, I did not think much of it as it was a new receiver and I have not even set up all the parameters (distant settings, audio levels, small big speaker settings etc). The only reason I called Sumiko was to search out a REL dealer in my area to buy a 2nd sub for my system.
The reason I was looking for a 2nd sub is because when I had UMR out to my home to do a Video and Audio calibration, he noticed a low frequency hump in my room. He mentioned getting a 2nd sub could help smooth things out. He also mentioned that the 2nd sub would not have to be very big, it could be used simply to help smooth out the low frequency "hump" in my room. Sooo, in my attempt to find a REL dealer in my area, I called Sumiko and ended up with Kendra. That's when all hell broke loose!
Kendra was great. She educated me about my Pioneer SC-07 and it's D class status and why it was so important to "ground" the Stadium II properly. Explained why using my "old" wires for the Stadium II was not a good idea (with the SC-07) and why it was so important that I get this "High Level Digital Cable".
I finally found a dealer in my area called "Artisan Cinema" in Scottsdale. When I described the "High Level Digital Cable" and my conversation with Kendra, they were fascinated and wanted to learn more. They understood about proper grounding however were not sure how a "High Level Digital Cable" would work. They finally found the cable from REL so at least that's set. Still, I have not ordered anything till I really learn what's going on.
Then I get a call from another sales person (and I won't say where, however it was in my area) who made the remark about the "High Level Digital Cables" calling it "Hype" and "Marketing" and that the cables I currently have would work. But then I start to question what does this guy really know?
Kendra seemed really knowledgeable and was really wanting to point me in the right direction.
My problem with this whole situation is if Class "D" amps are more common now than they used to be, I would think the whole matter of proper connection to a REL using a Class "D" amp would be much more common knowledge with everyone and not a few privileged in the "know".
Unless of course, this is a fairly new situation that people need to be educated about. And so it's probably a good thing I'm posting about this situation. I'm sure we will get to the bottom of this issue and when it's over, at least it will be a reference for those with REL and class D amps.