Losing volume when sub is hooked up

I have an integrated tube amp with pre-outs. when i hook up my sub to the pre-outs i lose some volume. is this normal?

cooch12-09-2006 5:06pm

gmood1 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,251 posts 12-09-2006 at 07:06pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I wonder if your integrated uses a passive pot or attenuator? If it does and is unbuffered,it will tax the output of your source when used with fairly long ICs connecting a subwoofer. You need a buffer or a integrated with an active preamp section.
cooch OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 81 posts 12-09-2006 at 07:42pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete not sure about that. i know the ic is about 10 feet long tho. and when i hook the sub up directly to the speaker connections on preamp, there is no volume loss.
herman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,215 posts 12-09-2006 at 07:49pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Do you mean the main speakers lose volume? Does the sub have a line/spkr level switch? Maybe it's in spkr and loading down the pre.
cooch OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 81 posts 12-09-2006 at 08:20pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete yes, the main speakers lose volume. sub does have seperate line level and speaker level volume controls. it sounds ok but i just have to turn the volume knob up more to get the same volume level i had before hooking up sub to pre-outs. i just don't like losing the power......