Need Help With Purchase (Receiver + Tube Amp)...

[azn_G]

Hello,

I am currently in the market for a receiver and a possibly a amp . I want to purchase a Receiver for Home Theater use and also a Tube Amp for 2Channel use. It will be hooked up from my computer. My question is...

-How would that work connection wise? (Computer S/PDIF -> receiver -> Preout to Tube Amp -> Speaker?)
-Any specific features on a receiver I should be looking for in order for the Tube Amp to work with the receiver?
-Should I be looking for a lower end receiver since it will be only for Home Theater use?

Thank you in advance for your time and help

 

[azn_G]

^^BUMP^^ in hopes that someone can help me

 

[jaxvon]

Okay, what is your budget looking like?

And second...why a tube amp? Not trying to knock you here, but I just want to know.

 

[azn_G]

My budget is around $1000 for both, I was thinking of purchasing a used Jolida 102B (would this work using Pre-Outs?) for 2Channel listenning and a low-end receiver for home theater use. I chose tube because, I recently purchased a tube headphone amplifier and I am loving the tube sound. I would like to hear somewhat the same thing on my speakers as well.

What exactly should I be looking for in my receiver purchase (features that work with the Tube Amp), and what would the connections be like?

 

[jaxvon]

Hmm, this is remarkably similar to a situation I addressed a few months ago. There are a few problems here. The 102B is an integrated amp, meaning it's a preamp and amplifier in one package. Using the preouts from a receiver will mean that you will have two volume controls for the speakers that are hooked to the integrated. This would be a pain in the butt. If you're using pre-outs, you should be using a normal stereo amp or pair of monoblock amps.

 

[azn_G]

I thought pre-outs means it will by-pass the receiver's volume control? (kinda like a Line-Out?)

My speakers have 4 binding posts each at the back. Would it be possible to hook 2 up onto the receiver and the other 2 on the tube amp, and make sure that whichever one I am not using will be switched off?

Do you have any reccomendations on what I should get/what I should do? Thank you in advance for your time and help.

 

[jaxvon]

No, the pre-outs are post volume control, thus not like a line out.

I think that maybe you could get a couple of switch boxes, one for your source (CD player, whatever), and one to switch between amp outputs. This will allow you to use your tube integrated for 2-ch. listening, and your receiver for HT. I understand that's not quite what you're trying to do, but you're probably going to have an interesting sound mis-match between the fronts and center if you just run the mains with the tubes and the rest off the receiver.

I would not try to have two hooked up at the same time. You're guaranteed to fry something.

Also, how much does the Jolida cost?

 

[azn_G]

Hmm, I have not heard of these switchboxes before. Is it possible to post a link?

The Jolida 102B is around $480+ brand new. Used is around $380+ (very rare to find a used one though). I am also considering purchasing a tube amp that's made in China. They aren't as expensive, and also they are often clones of Euro/American brands which costs double+ of what these clones are selling for.