Nee help using a receiver as a pre-amp please

[Confusilated]

Not sure if this is the proper forum for my question, but here goes...

I have an Onkyo amp and preamp combo, but the pre-amp is wonky, and keeps changing the inputs back to the first input, which is tuner. Its definitely an issue with the preamp, so I decided to use a different one, but I have numerous receivers, and no real pre-amp. I decided on the Nakamichi TA-2A that I have had laying aroud. But when I compare the sound from the Nak to the Onkyo Pre-amp, the Onkyo sounds better. The Nak has more bass punch, but I don't really hear a lot of midrange. The Onkyo has better sound distribution it seems, if that makes sense. I also have a Yamaha R-9 that i like alot, and thought, okay, forget the Nakamichi, and just use the Yamaha. It has separate bass, mid and treble controls anyway. But I was told that despite the Yamaha having "Acccessory send/receive", that this is not the same as pre-amp in and out, and the R9 can not be used as a preamp. Is that true? I'd like to use the R9. As a last resort, I have a Yamaha DSP-A2070 that seems to have a preamp in/out, so as a last resort I could try that I guess, but it doesn't have a mid control, so I think it would probably sound like the Nakamichi. Anybody know if my info regarding the R9 is correct, and if anybody has experience with Nakamich, is it common to be lacking in mids? Thanks

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I think you probably got some bad information about the R-9 “accessory” jacks. I‘ve never seen any jumpers like that with anything but pre-out and main-in jacks. If it was just a loop for processors, there would be no need for the jumpers. As with a tape monitor loop.

I’d say give it a try with the R-9. If the outboard amp responds to the Yamaha’s volume and tone controls, then you’re in business.

Barring that, the 2070 is an excellent unit. It doesn’t have a midrange knob, but it does have graphic EQ in the menu.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Confusilated]

I think you probably got some bad information about the R-9 “accessory” jacks. I‘ve never seen any jumpers like that with anything but pre-out and main-in jacks. If it was just a loop for processors, there would be no need for the jumpers. As with a tape monitor loop.

I’d say give it a try with the R-9. If the outboard amp responds to the Yamaha’s volume and tone controls, then you’re in business.

Barring that, the 2070 is an excellent unit. It doesn’t have a midrange knob, but it does have graphic EQ in the menu.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Thanks for your response Wayne. I was told that the jacks on the R9 are only good for an equalizer or other sound processor like perhaps a dynamic range expander. I'm a little gunshy to hook up the R9 to ANYTHING that generates power, as i hooked a previous R9 up to a powered speaker from M-Audio, and it fried the R9. I guess I hooked it up wrong, and toasted the speaker outputs, but my old R9 just blows fuses instantly, so something internal got ruined. I found another R9, and am just a little nervous about it...but I'll try it and see. If not, maybe the 2070 will suffice. Maybe the reason I'm partial to the Onkyo pair is because its just that...a matched pair. They compliment each other well. Not in looks, but in sound. There's something to be said for why components mesh well with each other. I just wanna hear my vinyl sound good again! lol Do you know anything about Nakamichi, and if my assessment of what I heard is typical of the brand?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Thanks for your response Wayne. I was told that the jacks on the R9 are only good for an equalizer or other sound processor like perhaps a dynamic range expander.

Yes, I understood that from your opening post. I‘m standing by my assessment.

I'm a little gunshy to hook up the R9 to ANYTHING that generates power, as i hooked a previous R9 up to a powered speaker from M-Audio, and it fried the R9. I guess I hooked it up wrong, and toasted the speaker outputs, but my old R9 just blows fuses instantly, so something internal got ruined. I found another R9, and am just a little nervous about it...but I'll try it and see.

Something was definitely wrong. I don’t know how you could screw up connecting a pair of RCA cables between the Yamaha and some active speakers. I mean, they can train monkeys to do that. Perhaps the M-Audio was defective and was dumping some kind of stray voltage back out its RCA jacks.

Do you know anything about Nakamichi, and if my assessment of what I heard is typical of the brand?

The only Nakamichi product I’ve ever owned is a CD changer.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Confusilated]

I think you probably got some bad information about the R-9 “accessory” jacks. I‘ve never seen any jumpers like that with anything but pre-out and main-in jacks. If it was just a loop for processors, there would be no need for the jumpers. As with a tape monitor loop.

I’d say give it a try with the R-9. If the outboard amp responds to the Yamaha’s volume and tone controls, then you’re in business.

Barring that, the 2070 is an excellent unit. It doesn’t have a midrange knob, but it does have graphic EQ in the menu.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Thanks for your response Wayne. I was told that the jacks on the R9 are only good for an equalizer or other sound processor like perhaps a dynamic range expander. I'm a little gunshy to hook up the R9 to ANYTHING that generates power, as i hooked a previous R9 up to a powered speaker from M-Audio, and it fried the R9. I guess I hooked it up wrong, and toasted the speaker outputs, but my old R9 just blows fuses instantly, so something internal got ruined. I found another R9, and am just a little nervous about tit...but I'll try it and see. If not, maybe the 2070 will suffice. Maybe the reason I'm partial to the Onkyo pair is because its just that...a matched pair. They compliment each other well. Not in looks, but in sound. There's something to be said for why components mesh well with each other. I just wanna hear my vinyl sound good again! lol Do you know anything about Nakamichi, and if my assessment of what I heard is typical of

 

[Confusilated]

Hey Wayne...just wanted to post an update. I tried the accessory jacks on the R-9. It didn't work. It put out a fixed volume, which was quite loud and unaffected by the volume control, balance, etc...Ironically in my testing though, I discovered a weakness in the right channel of my Onkyo amp. It puts out substantially less volume than the left. I think Im just going to go with the R-9, and lose the amp/tuner concept for now. Too bad too, because i really did like how the Onkyo components sounded. I will try the Nakamichi by itself vs the R9 and see what sounds better. As for the 2070, its a great behemoth, but I think its better suited for home theater. Just trying to get good quality sound out of my vinyl : )