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Anyone Experienced With Revel Gems and Sub15/LE1

Hi All. I have a pair of Revel Ultima Gems and I am going to be purchasing a matching set of the Sub15/LE1 sub and amp combo in a few months.

I would like to know what my best option would be in hooking up the system. I believe the two ways are:

1. use either an integrated (with pre-outs) or pre/power amp for the Gems and run interconnected from the pre-outs to the LE1 inputs; or
2. use an integrate (without pre-outs) or pre/power amp for the Gems and run a speaker cable to the LE1 line-level inputs.

What would be the best in terms of a) sound quality and b) convenience. Also, which of these setups will allow me to use the LE1's filter (so that the Gem's only get higher frequencies)? Or is there another setup needed to use this filter?

Thanks in advance,
X
xenithon

Showing 2 responses by aida_w

aida_w
308 posts
 
I can confirm the problems with the LE1. Bought it in 1999. Went bad in 2004. The worst thing was that I had to send the whole amp from Europe to the States. They exchanged the crossover module which is a much better design now (in view of the board and electronical parts) and better sound as well. Since the repair no problem whatsoever. So you should make sure you'll get the latest version of the module! I run my Ultima System directly from Wadia's 27ix into LE1 which is feeding the McIntosh MC 2000. The sound is superb! I also tried your setting #1 using the Burmester 808 pre and feeding the GEMs and Sub seperately. Not bad either but the above setting is superior. I only can encourage you in view of this speaker system. I haven't found a bettter speaker system for classical music and jazz (along with the McIntosh tube amp and Kimber Select 3035, 1130) so far and I guess I stopped searching - which means true High End, right? Good luck!
aida_w
308 posts
 
No, the Revel Sub is the one! It's incredibly good. And yes: the probs seem to stem from the crossover module. In my case anyway. The only thing that I wouldn't know is how to circumvent the crossover module since it's part of the whole amp and pulling it out definitely cuts the circuit.
By the way: I tend to disagree with the thought that the GEMs alone are real fullrange setting. They do need the Sub IMHO
Good luck!
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