Preamp necessary? Questions

[Shortsord]

Is a preamplifier always necessary?

I'm looking to set up a small two channel system in my office. I was planning on getting the Emotiva BPA-1 amp and buying a new cd player/changer as a source. Since I sometimes use my headphones in there, computer audio will come through a Zhalou 2.5, occasionally.

What I'm wondering is, do I need another component? I don't understand the deal with pre-amplification, so if anyone could explain it that would be helpful. I was fairly excited about this setup and planning to audition speakers and a few cd players tomorrow afternoon.

Basically, do I need a pre-amp or something, or am I safe just connecting a cdp directly to the BPA-1?

Cheers.

 

[Seth=L]

You can connect the CDP directly to the amp. If you need to connect more than one component you will need some type of switching device. You can get a audio/video switchbox at Wal-Mart, RadioShack, or just about anywhere else. You do not need a preamplifier. And if I were in your situation, I would not get one.

Good luck.

 

[MDS]

A pre-amp does minimal amplification to line-level in addition to things like source selection. If the CD player does not have a volume control (most don't) then you cannot connect it directly to an amplifier.

 

[gcmarshall]

would a CD player with a "variable" audio output knob qualify as a CD player with volume control? in that instance, could it connected directly to an amplifier?

 

[MDS]

Variable audio out implies some sort of volume control otherwise how would you make the output vary?

 

[Shortsord]

Conflicting answers already?

The Zhalou has a knob, but I think it only affects the headphone jack, I haven't tried it though. One of the cdp I'm looking at is the Marantz 4300, and it has a level knob next to the headphone jack, but I don't about that either.

What would happen if I did connect the cd player directly to the amp?

I wanted to keep this as small as possible, so if I have to get a receiver or something else, I might as well just get some Swans instead, but I'd really rather not.

Thanks for the help, but which is it?

 

[Seth=L]

A pre-amp does minimal amplification to line-level in addition to things like source selection. If the CD player does not have a volume control (most don't) then you cannot connect it directly to an amplifier.

The Emotiva BPA-1 has a volume knob, so it can be connected to a fixed audio output such as a CDP.

 

[wire]

Conflicting answers already?

The Zhalou has a knob, but I think it only affects the headphone jack, I haven't tried it though. One of the cdp I'm looking at is the Marantz 4300, and it has a level knob next to the headphone jack, but I don't about that either.

What would happen if I did connect the cd player directly to the amp?

I wanted to keep this as small as possible, so if I have to get a receiver or something else, I might as well just get some Swans instead, but I'd really rather not.

Thanks for the help, but which is it?

Denon (DCM - 290 , 390) puts out a 5 disc player with a volume control built right into the remote , its a nice feature , look on Eprey , Dakmart sells them at a good price .
I would personally go with a Preamp .

 

[Seth=L]

Conflicting answers already?

The Zhalou has a knob, but I think it only affects the headphone jack, I haven't tried it though. One of the cdp I'm looking at is the Marantz 4300, and it has a level knob next to the headphone jack, but I don't about that either.

What would happen if I did connect the cd player directly to the amp?

I wanted to keep this as small as possible, so if I have to get a receiver or something else, I might as well just get some Swans instead, but I'd really rather not.

Thanks for the help, but which is it?

I don't believe they were aware that the BPA-1 has it's own volume knob.

I would say get it, you have no need for a preamp presently, so hold off on that part. And as I said before, if you need to connect more than one thing, such as your Computer and CD player, then you will need something to switch sources, which will cost you less than $30. I have a four way component video, s-video, standard video (composite) and audio switcher I purchased at Wal-Mart for $25 made by Philips and it works great.

Good luck.

 

[Seth=L]

Here is a link to the Emotiva amplifier in question-

http://69.63.142.103/bpa1.html

 

[mtrycrafts]

What would happen if I did connect the cd player directly to the amp?
?

If you have no volume control, the output voltage of the CD player will drive the amp at uncontrolled levels, all the way to full power, or more.

 

[Tomorrow]

If you have no volume control, the output voltage of the CD player will drive the amp at uncontrolled levels, all the way to full power, or more.

As has been stated, there is a volume control on the BPA-1. This is exactly how I have my office rig set up and it works great. I do have another cdp that has a variable out for volume control using its remote, but I do not use it when that one (my JVC 1050 transport) is hooked in.

The only possible issue I see is with the connection to the earphones. While there is a lineout feature on the Emotiva, its purpose is primarily for daisy-chaining amps. I am ignorant as to whether this can be utilized for an earphone purpose.

 

[Seth=L]

Arg, you guys are killing me!

Someone please look at the link in post #9 that way we can progress on this thread,...PLEASE!

Forgive my impatience gentlemen, but it is like you are just reading the OP and answering the question without research.

Most amplifiers, unlike the Emotiva BPA-1 have fixed inputs that when paired with fixed outputs from sources such as a DVD player or CD player would result in catastrophic damage to your speakers or amplifier. But in the special case of this BPA-1, it has volume control. The amp can be used as a stereo integrated amplifier with no tonal controls or switching abilities, or you can bridge the amp and use it to power one speaker, or you can use it as a complete subwoofer amplifier (it has a selectable, variable low pass x-over) and also can be daisy chained to other amplifiers using the output.

 

[Shortsord]

I don't believe they were aware that the BPA-1 has it's own volume knob.

I would say get it, you have no need for a preamp presently, so hold off on that part. And as I said before, if you need to connect more than one thing, such as your Computer and CD player, then you will need something to switch sources, which will cost you less than $30. I have a four way component video, s-video, standard video (composite) and audio switcher I purchased at Wal-Mart for $25 made by Philips and it works great.

Good luck.

Fantastic!

Thanks a lot for the help. I think that little amp looks really neat, and I'll probably order tomorrow.

I have a second question, though. The BPA-1 is rated at 75 watts at 4 ohms; is a 4 ohm rated speaker worth more consideration. in this case, than an 8 ohm?

When I go audition, I'll be looking at the Epos ELS3, among others, which is rated at 4 ohms. I don't plan on blaring these things ever, and it's a small room(12x14) anyways, but I just want to make sure that amp will still have enough power to produce.

Thanks again.

ETA: Also, thanks for explaining the whole "what if" situation regarding a preamp, I think I have a better understanding of what it does and when it is necessary now. It basically will act to control when neither the source or amplifier have specific controls. This clears up a lot.

 

[Seth=L]

As has been stated, there is a volume control on the BPA-1. This is exactly how I have my office rig set up and it works great. I do have another cdp that has a variable out for volume control using its remote, but I do not use it when that one (my JVC 1050 transport) is hooked in.

The only possible issue I see is with the connection to the earphones. While there is a lineout feature on the Emotiva, its purpose is primarily for daisy-chaining amps. I am ignorant as to whether this can be utilized for an earphone purpose.

Oh, thank God someone else besides me said something, I was afraid I had imagined the whole thing!

 

[Seth=L]

Fantastic!

Thanks a lot for the help. I think that little amp looks really neat, and I'll probably order tomorrow.

I have a second question, though. The BPA-1 is rated at 75 watts at 4 ohms; is a 4 ohm rated speaker worth more consideration. in this case, than an 8 ohm?

When I go audition, I'll be looking at the Epos ELS3, among others, which is rated at 4 ohms. I don't plan on blaring these things ever, and it's a small room(12x14) anyways, but I just want to make sure that amp will still have enough power to produce.

Thanks again.

Many lower resistance speakers (measured in ohms) such as the Epos (I have no experiance with them) tend to have low resistance because they designed the speaker with a focus. One cannot have low extension and efficiency without low impedance. One thing is for sure, you can't have all three. I would also say that you can't base a speaker's performance on it's specifications, you must listen to them youself.

The good news is, because the amp is 4 ohm stable, you have a wider range of speakers that you can potentially and safely use.

 

[Seth=L]

As has been stated, there is a volume control on the BPA-1. This is exactly how I have my office rig set up and it works great. I do have another cdp that has a variable out for volume control using its remote, but I do not use it when that one (my JVC 1050 transport) is hooked in.

The only possible issue I see is with the connection to the earphones. While there is a lineout feature on the Emotiva, its purpose is primarily for daisy-chaining amps. I am ignorant as to whether this can be utilized for an earphone purpose.

Well his CDP has a headphone out, and you can many computers have some type of headphone out, he should be fine in that respect.

 

[Tomorrow]

Oh, thank God someone else besides me said something, I was afraid I had imagined the whole thing!

LOL, it's only paranoia when they're not really chasing you.

 

[Shortsord]

Many lower resistance speakers (measured in ohms) such as the Epos (I have no experiance with them) tend to have low resistance because they designed the speaker with a focus. One cannot have low extension and efficiency without low impedance. One thing is for sure, you can't have all three. I would also say that you can't base a speaker's performance on it's specifications, you must listen to them youself.

The good news is, because the amp is 4 ohm stable, you have a wider range of speakers that you can potentially and safely use.

What I'm wondering is if the amp will have an easier time running a 4 ohm speaker than an 8 ohm one, or will it not make much difference? Of the little I remember from electrics class, it seems like at 8 ohms there would be less power put out readily. Would it still put out a decent enough amount of power at 8 ohms compared to 4? Pretty much everything I'm looking at is rated at 8 ohms, so I'm fairly curious.

Oh, and the headphone situation is not a problem. I have a portable amp that I use for now, and am planning on getting a HB1 to sit in the office alone soon enough.

 

[Tomorrow]

What I'm wondering is if the amp will have an easier time running a 4 ohm speaker than an 8 ohm one, or will it not make much difference? Of the little I remember from electrics class, it seems like at 8 ohms there would be less power put out readily. Would it still put out a decent enough amount of power at 8 ohms compared to 4? Pretty much everything I'm looking at is rated at 8 ohms, so I'm fairly curious.

Oh, and the headphone situation is not a problem. I have a portable amp that I use for now, and am planning on getting a HB1 to sit in the office alone soon enough.

Well, now....I tried to answer this question a few minutes ago, but the post seems to have vanished into cyberspace.

My BPA-1 drives (8" woofer, 2-way) 6 ohm ACI speakers loud enough to make my neighbors' ears bleed. I don't believe it will have any difficulty running your 4 ohm jobs at moderate levels.

Emotiva has a liberal return policy and the shipping is free one way. Give it a whirl. I really like mine...it's perfect for a small room application. And the dang things are really flexible in their applications.