Best setup / hookup method for STF-2 in 2.1

[derekva]

My wife purchased an STF-2 for me for my birthday to put into my hifi system (I have the best wife in the world). The current system is as follows:

Preamp - custom tube / transistor hybrid
Amplifier - custom tube based on Dynaco ST-35 (2 x 17.5WPC)
Speakers - Axiom Audio M22ti

Should I hook up at high level (e.g. run from the amp to the subwoofer and then to the speakers) or would it be better to split the output at the preamp and run separate low-level connections to the sub and to the amplifier for the monitors? I'm mostly concerned about integration factors - from what I understand, the Axioms roll off fairly cleanly, so I most likely shouldn't need a high pass filter (and if I do, I can get something like this: http://www.audioc.com/accessories1/misc/hipass.htm). However, my biggest concern is not losing the smooth tube sound I'm getting on my monitors right now. :)

The majority of my listening is LP and CD (with occasional FM). The music I listen to is quite eclectic (classical, jazz, Brit Punk, hard rock, Riot Grrl, etc.).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Derek

[Lwang]

Bass augmentation via speaker level output to the subwoofer is generally recommended fo this type of setup. As it will allow the amplification system's characteristics to be passed to the subwoofer's input stage so that the sub would also try to reproduce that sound. So if you want that bass bloom being produced by your 'saurs, then you would need to tap it off your main amp's tap. This way, the bass coming out of the Axioms should more or less match the bass coming out of the Hsu subwoofer.

[derekva]

Bass augmentation via speaker level output to the subwoofer is generally recommended fo this type of setup. As it will allow the amplification system's characteristics to be passed to the subwoofer's input stage so that the sub would also try to reproduce that sound. So if you want that bass bloom being produced by your 'saurs, then you would need to tap it off your main amp's tap. This way, the bass coming out of the Axioms should more or less match the bass coming out of the Hsu subwoofer.

Actually, given the modifications to the power supply (much beefier Elnas capacitance-wise and equipped w/ HEXFREDs) and the general characteristics of EL84 tubes and the Z-565 output transformers, there isn't a lot of bass bloom. Bass is not as tight as my Robertson 4010, but it does acquit itself pretty well.

I'm getting the feeling you come out on the 'sand' side of the tubes vs. transistors debate. :D

However, I appreciate the advice in regards to setup.

Thank you.

-Derek

[Lwang]

Actually, given the modifications to the power supply (much beefier Elnas capacitance-wise and equipped w/ HEXFREDs) and the general characteristics of EL84 tubes and the Z-565 output transformers, there isn't a lot of bass bloom. Bass is not as tight as my Robertson 4010, but it does acquit itself pretty well.

I'm getting the feeling you come out on the 'sand' side of the tubes vs. transistors debate. :D

However, I appreciate the advice in regards to setup.

Thank you.

-Derek
Hey, that's REL's reason for preferring this method of 2 channel setup. And I still have my Audible Illusion Modulus 2D preamp, but never went with it on the amp side considering the amount of bottles I would need to power my Maggies.

[derekva]

Hey, that's REL's reason for preferring this method of 2 channel setup. And I still have my Audible Illusion Modulus 2D preamp, but never went with it on the amp side considering the amount of bottles I would need to power my Maggies.

That's the beauty of the Axiom M22ti: 95db 1W/m.

I guess I can always play around with both methods and see which sounds best. However, I'll definitely start with high-level like you suggested. :-)