Solved! I am wondering if I can run a sub out of my headphone amp, and if not, what my best second option is.

[pintokiernan]

Hello!
I have a "FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier" that I currently run my KRK Rokit 5s out of and it works great. But being a bass head, I need a subwoofer for desk use. I have been looking at the "Polk Audio PSW10". Would I be able to use the coax output on the DAC for the sub and continue using the aux out for my speakers? And if that isn't possible, what would my second best option be. Being a broke college student I am really trying to avoid spending more money in addition to the sub. Thanks for the help!

 

[Sonic Illusions]

Good news. Here's an adapter/ DAC you can plug into your sub. https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Am...ocphy=9012005&hvtargid=pla-313747041769&psc=1

From what I read, your headphone amp outputs the digital and analog signals simultaneously, so you may be in luck. Plus, the adapter won't break the bank! You'll need a digital audio coax cable (basically, a well-shielded mono cable with male RCA connector on each end) and a L+R RCA male to get the analog L+R signal from the adapter/ DAC to your sub amp, which sums the signals to mono. Depending on length, you may need a good quality shielded set of the L+R cables. The reason is that with a line-level signal, poor-quality cables can pick up noise from stray electromagnetic fields, such as from transformers, fluorescent lamps, any close-by cable that has electrical current flowing. Better shielding pays off. Here's a link: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p...oWkwcX8xrJzYt1O7LMBYZpAtlMwfUwYxoCGe8QAvD_BwE

 

[americanaudiophile]

Assuming that you have the speakers connected to the line level output of the E10k the simplest, cheapest, & best sounding solution would be to split that output and connect both the sub and speakers to that.
https://www.amazon.com/eFuture-STR_M-SPL_F-Stereo-Y-Splitter-Female/dp/B0012IYLMM
Adding a high pass crossover in between the E10k and the speakers would remove some bass from them allowing them to play louder and potentially cleaner. Not essential if you aren't driving the speakers to their limit.
https://www.parts-express.com/brand/harrison-labs/265
Don't go over 100hz if you go that route.

 

[pintokiernan]

Assuming that you have the speakers connected to the line level output of the E10k the simplest, cheapest, & best sounding solution would be to split that output and connect both the sub and speakers to that.
https://www.amazon.com/eFuture-STR_M-SPL_F-Stereo-Y-Splitter-Female/dp/B0012IYLMM
Adding a high pass crossover in between the E10k and the speakers would remove some bass from them allowing them to play louder and potentially cleaner. Not essential if you aren't driving the speakers to their limit.
https://www.parts-express.com/brand/harrison-labs/265
Don't go over 100hz if you go that route.

Thanks for the response, I'm actually currently using a 1-to-2, 3.5mm to 1/4" wire out of the headphone output of the E10k for the speakers. But I could easily switch to using the line out. And the KRKs have EQ knobs on the back, so splitting that output for the speakers and the sub would work well, because I can just turn down the bass on the speakers, and turn up the bass using the volume knob on the sub itself. Sounds simple enough!

 

[Sonic Illusions]

SWEET idea! More than one way to 'skin a cat'

 

[americanaudiophile]

The bass control of the speakers is probably centered at a higher frequency than the highest frequency you would want to use to crossover the subwoofer.
It only has a 3db max cut and that isn't a lot adjustment range. No reason not to play around with it though.