Entry Level Pre Amplifier

[DualClutch]

Nothing special really. Just something cheap, but functional in the meantime until I can afford something good. Something with a clean signal out and volume, bass and treble controls.

 

[DualClutch]

Or, since I don't have a multi-channel AV receiver as yet, and I would be needing one in the next year or so....I can maybe get one and use it for it's preamp capabilities now and still have it for a HT setup later on. If a receiver can act as a preamplifier to an external amplifier, would I be able to switch between the two? Or will I hear output from both the receiver and the amplifier just so that I can get the amp to play?

 

[highfihoney]

RAC are you there ?

 

[Davemcc]

RAC are you there ?

Gone Flooshing.

 

[highfihoney]

Gone Flooshing.

Sure seems like it to me.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I have never really understood the concept behind separates. Why should a preamp and power amp in separate chassis sound better (or even different) than the same electronics combined into an integrated or receiver?

 

[Davemcc]

I have never really understood the concept behind separates. Why should a preamp and power amp in separate chassis sound better (or even different) than the same electronics combined into an integrated or receiver?

Good question. I could see on the power amp side that a separate amp could have a larger power supply, be more stable at low impedance, have more power and more headroom.

On the processor side, I've heard of some pre/pros with torroidal power supplies as well, not sure to what effect. But also, it could be in the arrangement of components in the case, isolated to reduce cross-talk, heat and EMF interference. It seems to me that space is at a premium with the receiver's case and that eliminating the amp section would free up some room and engineering constraints to build a better unit. All this is just guessing on my part.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have never really understood the concept behind separates. Why should a preamp and power amp in separate chassis sound better (or even different) than the same electronics combined into an integrated or receiver?

Other side of the coin:

Joe, it's just the Facts of Life that separate components sound better. End of story. There is no "Why?". It's just the way it is. Don't even think about it. Don't even ask. Just accept it. Just agree. Just be cool.

One reason I can think of is that most processors & receivers have all the added circuitries. You got DSPs, Tuners, Video circuits, Tone controls, & a million other circuits. Even when you hit that "Pure Direct Mode" button, those added circuits may still cause slight interference to the audio signal.

Take my preamplifiers for example. No video circuits, DSP, tuner, tone controls, or any other Integrated Circuits. It's just a line-level. You got one signal coming in, nothing added or subtracted or interfered or tampered with, and the same signal coming out. It just sounds cleaner than any receiver I've ever listened to, including the Pioneer Elite SP99D, HK 247, Onkyo 875 & Denon 4308.

Now have I ever done a controlled double-blinded test. No. Absolutely none. I can't prove anything nor do I want to. Sometimes the theory is just enough to make me happy.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...torroidal power supplies...reduce cross-talk, heat and EMF interference. It seems to me that space is at a premium with the receiver's case and that eliminating the amp section would free up some room and engineering constraints to build a better unit...

I can live with this theory.