Can my vsx-819h work a subwoofer that is not powered? I set up a speaker wire with a rca connection to the subwoofer out on the back of the receiver but no sound comes out of the sub?

No, if the subwoofer output is an RCA connector, then it's just a 'line-out' signal, and requires a powered sub-woofer. Or you could use a separate amplifier (say if you had an old stereo amplifier lying around) to drive your passive sub-woofer, assuming the amp has enough power output.

Daniel

No, if the subwoofer output is an RCA connector, then it's just a 'line-out' signal, and requires a powered sub-woofer. Or you could use a separate amplifier (say if you had an old stereo amplifier lying around) to drive your passive sub-woofer, assuming the amp has enough power output.

Daniel

Thanks for that, I've got a separate denon amp, would this work and what connections would I have to make? Do I do from sub output to an outlet from denon amp(cd) maybe, then select cd on denon output and connect sub speaker to speaker outputs? Sorry if this doesn't make sense as you can prob tell I'm pretty new to all this. Many thanks again

Craig,

Yes, you've got it right. Note that the sub output from the surround amp is only mono (a single RCA socket), so it will go to one channel only of the Denon amp. If, for example, you connected it to the LEFT (white) CD input, then you'd connect the sub-woofer to the LEFT speaker terminals only, and, as you surmised, select 'CD' on the Denon amp.

You'll need to experiment with the volume setting of the Denon to get the tonal balance correct (i.e. just the right amount of bass from the sub-woofer for the amount of mid and high frequencies coming from your other speakers). Once you find this setting, DON'T TOUCH the Denon volume again, but just use the Pioneer volume as the 'master' volume control.

Let us know if you have any problems.

Daniel

Craig,

Yes, you've got it right. Note that the sub output from the surround amp is only mono (a single RCA socket), so it will go to one channel only of the Denon amp. If, for example, you connected it to the LEFT (white) CD input, then you'd connect the sub-woofer to the LEFT speaker terminals only, and, as you surmised, select 'CD' on the Denon amp.

You'll need to experiment with the volume setting of the Denon to get the tonal balance correct (i.e. just the right amount of bass from the sub-woofer for the amount of mid and high frequencies coming from your other speakers). Once you find this setting, DON'T TOUCH the Denon volume again, but just use the Pioneer volume as the 'master' volume control.

Let us know if you have any problems.

Daniel

Thanks Daniel, it works :D much apprieciated!!