stupid question regarding integrated amp

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Mordante

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Dear all,

What happens when I use a pre-amp that I connect to a line level input aux or CD. The set the volume control of my integrated at 100%. Using the extra pre-amp as the actual pre amp.

I want to play with some pre-amps.
 
Mordante said:
Dear all,

What happens when I use a pre-amp that I connect to a line level input aux or CD. The set the volume control of my integrated at 100%. Using the extra pre-amp as the actual pre amp.

I want to play with some pre-amps.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't set the volume control to 100% , 100 % of the time for fear of overheating , overloading it. Try it at 50 % or 60 maybe where you might find unity gain or thereabouts. What ever you do don't sit the pre smack right on top of it either. Use the CD input might be an idea to check the impedance inputs against the outputs too.

Sent from my SM-T113 using Tapatalk
 
Don’t connect a pre to the CD or AUX input of your integrated.

Most integrated amps have a way to access the power amp section directly - usually a set of jumpers on the back.

Pull the jumpers and connect the new preamp to the power amp in terminals and you will be good to go.
 
W9TR said:
Don’t connect a pre to the CD or AUX input of your integrated.

Most integrated amps have a way to access the power amp section directly - usually a set of jumpers on the back.

Pull the jumpers and connect the new preamp to the power amp in terminals and you will be good to go.
Click to expand...

My integrated amp has no option of bypassing the volume control.

But could it damage my integrated amp if I would use a CD/AUX input?
 
This is like connecting 2 preamps in series and the first effect would be a loss in transparency; usually integrateds bypass the preamp stage on the surround input if they have one, routing the signal straight to the amplifier stage.

An integrated amp has 2 gain sections, the preamp section gain and the amplifier section gain; you would need to find out at what volume level on the integrated you would have unity gain (that is 0 gain) on the preamp section or put the volume control on 100% only if the preamp section of the integrated would be passive; either way I don't think it's a good idea to have the signal pass through 2 preamps in series.

I'd get a separate power amplifier if you want to play with preamps.
 
You certainly won't hurt anything. Set the integrateds volume control so you have comfortable travel on the preamps volume control and of course use a line input. Not an optimum set up, but certainly not dangerous.
 
hifinutt said:
better to sell the integrated and just try pre amps with a normal power amp maybe
Click to expand...

i think you are correct. It’s difficult there are many options. Also want a pre amp with a good phono amp. At least as good as my RCM sensor prelude.
 
I believe most cd's and dac's put put out 2-3 volts. If you can measure the the volts of you preamp output with a multimeter and set the volume to 2-5 volts you should be fine as far as damaging the unit. I actually did this with a cheap chinese tube preamp DAC and digital integrated and was able to get better sound. Of course as always YMMV.
 
Mordante said:
Dear all,

What happens when I use a pre-amp that I connect to a line level input aux or CD. The set the volume control of my integrated at 100%. Using the extra pre-amp as the actual pre amp.

I want to play with some pre-amps.
Click to expand...

You only risk overloading the input of the integrated, which usually 1-2v (the typical fixed output of say, a CD player), whereas the preamps can output several volts. You'll be fine at max or near max gain with the integrated, just use the preamp volume judiciously..then trust your ears to hear overload distortion, which should be obvious.
Luckily my Triode integrated has a dedicated preamp input for such adventures. ;)

cheers,

AJ
 
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