Bottom line question is...

Are the Balanced and Unbalanced signals of the LF/RF 990 output, hot at all times?

If I recall correctly, the answer is "yes" - but the signal level for balanced outputs is higher than for unbalanced (nature of the beast), which may affect your plans.

I can compensate for the level at the destination of the signal.

This is what I asked the AV123 group on the Rockets and the RDES that I have:

Running an Outlaw 990 (Pre/Pro) to an Outlaw 7700 (AMP) (connected via Balanced cables). 990 is also connected to the Sub via Balanced Cable. 7700 then goes to RS1000's using a high level output from the amp. At the speaker I have the jumper from the high level input to the plate amp for the woofers in the speakers.

I'm thinking of taking the Low Unbalanced out of the Pre, and going directly to the Low level input of the plate amp on the RS1000's with the RDES in the line.

Subwoofer would still not have an RDES.

Worth the trouble of all that would be involved?

I think I found your reason ... (Edit: as you've already described, oops...) When doing what you describe (using unbalanced left/right outputs to feed the built-in subs on the RS1000's), you will need to adjust the level of the RS1000's amps anyway - the level imbalance between unbalanced and balanced outputs should get lost in the shuffle of all of that.

Yeah, my question to them is if the sub does not have an RDES, is all the work that is going to occur, going to be worth it...?

Having not ever used the R-DES, I don't know how much benefit it could provide for this configuration. It certainly shouldn't hurt anything, and the R-DES might even help get the RS1000's amps dialed in to the right level. (The SMS-1 can be useful for this, but if I recall some discussions at AV123 the SMS-1 offers a more real-time interface than the R-DES.)

Yeah, I'm on the fence about the effort. If not, going to sell it.


I don't really 'know' if the woofers on the RS1000's are dialed in. I think they are, but I don't know, I might be missing something.

I haven't looked at a manual for the RS1000, but the Stratus Mini user manual has an excellent proceedure for dialing in powered woofers. You might want to take a look.
Essentially, set your crossover, disconnect the woofer input/ jumper or whatever your using, set the level on the upper portion of the speaker noting your volume setting on the 990 and on the SPL meter, then disconnect the main speaker input, re-connect the powered woofer input, then using the same volume level setting on the 990, adjust the volume control on the powered woofer until the level reading exactly matches the SPL meter level that you used for the upper portion of the speaker, then re-connect the upper speaker inputs and you've got it.( The directions in the mini manual are probably clearer than mine )
It's a 2 person job and a bit tedious, but the results sound great.

Thanks for the tip. I'll do that, though it'll be a one person job...