Integrating my Stereo preamp with Surround Rec.

[brad1138]

My stereo system and Surround sys are in the same place (pictures). I use my Citation 5.1 to run the M-3sis in both systems. I wanted to be able to use my PS Audio preamp for stereo listening and my Yamaha RX-V995 rec for surround. I have tried a few different ways of accomplishing this over the last year and have come up with what I think is the best design. I am using a Niles AXP-1 multiple input switcher. It is designed for multiple sources but I am using it to switch between the preamp outs of my Yamaha and my PS Audio.

I am very happy with the solution, but the one thing that bugs me a little is that it is the weakest link. I have spent a bit on high end cables and Speaker wire and of course the equipment, and wonder how much an $80 switch could be degrading the sound. For what its worth it does have gold plated connectors. Obvoiusly the proof is in the pudding as they say, and I think it sounds great but I cant help thinking about it. Also, could there be any issue sending preamp level signal through it as opposed to the line level it is designed for? I used the AXP-1 because I had it around and wasn't using it, are there better quality switchers out there I should look at?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[chadburger]

Why not just run your front outs on your reciever (if it has pre-outs) into empty input on your PS Audio pre amp. Then you just flip it to that mode, reference a volume level (say 12 o'clock) then calibrate system. You would need to run your theater thru the PS but its Solid State so no worry. What your ding is a poor mans "HT Bypass"...............I did this for years for same reason as you, keeping music seperate from movies.
PM me if you need any help.

 

[TLS Guy]

My stereo system and Surround sys are in the same place (pictures). I use my Citation 5.1 to run the M-3sis in both systems. I wanted to be able to use my PS Audio preamp for stereo listening and my Yamaha RX-V995 rec for surround. I have tried a few different ways of accomplishing this over the last year and have come up with what I think is the best design. I am using a Niles AXP-1 multiple input switcher. It is designed for multiple sources but I am using it to switch between the preamp outs of my Yamaha and my PS Audio.

I am very happy with the solution, but the one thing that bugs me a little is that it is the weakest link. I have spent a bit on high end cables and Speaker wire and of course the equipment, and wonder how much an $80 switch could be degrading the sound. For what its worth it does have gold plated connectors. Obvoiusly the proof is in the pudding as they say, and I think it sounds great but I cant help thinking about it. Also, could there be any issue sending preamp level signal through it as opposed to the line level it is designed for? I used the AXP-1 because I had it around and wasn't using it, are there better quality switchers out there I should look at?

Thanks,
Brad

You are fine. It is a passive switch and as you have found it works well. Next time don't waste money on high end cables. The fact the switcher sounds good should prove the point to you that wire is wire.

 

[brad1138]

Why not just run your front outs on your reciever (if it has pre-outs) into empty input on your PS Audio pre amp. Then you just flip it to that mode, reference a volume level (say 12 o'clock) then calibrate system. You would need to run your theater thru the PS but its Solid State so no worry. What your ding is a poor mans "HT Bypass"...............I did this for years for same reason as you, keeping music seperate from movies.
PM me if you need any help.

That is one of the ways I had tried, it caused a problem. Someone on a forum said the voltage coming out of the receivers pre-outs might be to high for the pre-amp. I tried it anyway but twice the left channel faded out to nothing. Don't know which component killed the output, but I didn't want to damage anything so I stopped using it that way. I never had that prob again after I stopped hooking it up that way.

Brad

 

[brad1138]

You are fine. It is a passive switch and as you have found it works well. Next time don't waste money on high end cables. The fact the switcher sounds good should prove the point to you that wire is wire.

Your just asking to start a war with that comment Although I think you can spend way to much on cable (I have seen a 5ft powercord that ran $2,500 ), IMO having quality cables, as opposed to some cheap old radio shack ones, is a good idea. It all boils down to the quality of what your hooking them to. Example: Speaker wire at $20 or $100 per foot might seem ridiculous to most of us, but if you are using it to run speakers that cost $10,000 to $250,000/pr it would seem appropriate (if not under priced).