How do I use Icepower 300ASC Balanced with speaker containing active powered woofer?

[Chasmo57]

Hi.
I just got a pair of Icepower 300ASC-based mono amps (Emotiva PA-1) which are fully balanced (input to output).

My speakers are a three way with 6" woofer and tweeter passively crossed over, but the 8" lower woofer has an active amp and crossover.

Previously, I'd connect both the upper passive driver binding posts along with the woofer amps high-level input to my amp terminals (the woofer amps also have a single rca input).

However, the new amps' manual says DO NOT connect the balanced outputs to a device with a common ground.

Anyone familiar with a solution for this(that doesn't require replacing or redesign of the current speaker/woofer amp.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[chrisng]

Use the woofer amp rca input connect to the preamp output.

 

[Chasmo57]

The preamp has two balanced XLR outputs, (I can switch to rca outputs, but my power amp is XLR)

 

[chrisng]

What is the make and model of your preamp?

 

[Chasmo57]

It's a DIY unit based upon the Pass B1 buffer. I have it set up in differential mode through balanced XLR output. To restore to the rca single ended outs again I'd have to rewire it :-( (unless there a way to switch between the two modes?). Any suggestions?

 

[chrisng]

Another way to try is connect the woofer amp high level input+ to Emotiva PA-1 speaker terminal+, DO NOT connect the woofer amp high level input - to Emotiva PA-1 speaker terminal -, connect it to the Emotiva PA-1 audio ground instead.

 

[Chasmo57]

Thanks for the suggestion, which sounds right to me; however there is no ground terminal on the PA-1 amp, so how do I connect to the amp's ground? Would this require modifying one of my balanced interconnects' plug? Thanks