Need Preamp Advice

[sddt]

I am looking into adding a preamp to my home stereo setup. I have two main music sources, a PC and mobile devices (phones, ipods, etc.). I am starting to get the feeling that I am not getting the type of output I should be with having these sources connected directly to the amps (Crown XLS 1500 powering 2 JBL Control 30s, Emotiva UPA-2 powering 2 Axiom Algonquins). Could somebody verify the necessity for a preamp in this scenario and possibly recommend a decent preamp capable of handling maybe 4 sources and at least 2 output zones? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

A Denon 3313 for $800 (or 3312 for less if available) should do the trick. You could stream lossless Apple music (ALAC) from your iOS to the Denon AirPlay. Has multiple zones. Has preamp outputs.

 

[sddt]

Do I really need another amp here? Can I not just put a preamp between source and existing amps?

 

[Grador]

Most separate preamps will cost you MORE than buying that AVR and using it just as a preamp.

 

[sddt]

If that's the case then I will just use my Onkyo TX SR805. Should do the job I suppose...

 

[cpp]

Just order an Emotiva USP-1 (2chl pre-amp) for $449 and use your AVR for your HT system

 

[slipperybidness]

I am looking into adding a preamp to my home stereo setup. I have two main music sources, a PC and mobile devices (phones, ipods, etc.). I am starting to get the feeling that I am not getting the type of output I should be with having these sources connected directly to the amps (Crown XLS 1500 powering 2 JBL Control 30s, Emotiva UPA-2 powering 2 Axiom Algonquins). Could somebody verify the necessity for a preamp in this scenario and possibly recommend a decent preamp capable of handling maybe 4 sources and at least 2 output zones? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I think that if you want the best advice, then you need to supply more info.

Exactly what is the problem that needs to be fixed? Are you just running the soundcard or integrated mobo sound out directly to the amps? Iphone with a cable from the headphone out to RCA inputs to the amps? If yes, then there are certainly better options out there.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If that's the case then I will just use my Onkyo TX SR805. Should do the job I suppose...

The Onkyo will do just fine. No need to buy anything else.

 

[sddt]

I think that if you want the best advice, then you need to supply more info.

Exactly what is the problem that needs to be fixed? Are you just running the soundcard or integrated mobo sound out directly to the amps? Iphone with a cable from the headphone out to RCA inputs to the amps? If yes, then there are certainly better options out there.

PC source is integrated motherboard sound 3.5mm to rca directly from PC to amp. Mobile devices are also from headphone jack (3.5mm) to rca on amp.

Just order an Emotiva USP-1 (2chl pre-amp) for $449 and use your AVR for your HT system

Does this support multiple zone outs? I would like to be able to assign sources to different zones on the fly if possible...

The Onkyo will do just fine. No need to buy anything else.

I am going to try this option first. Do you by chance know if using zone2/3 on the onkyo as a preamp will affect my 5.1 surround as it does when I use the powered zone 2 option (when using powered zone 2, rear surround channels are disabled)? My guess would be not since it will not need to use the amp for this function. Also, will the Onkyo boost the source signal enough to get the results I'm looking for?


Thank you all for the great responses!!!

 

[slipperybidness]

PC source is integrated motherboard sound 3.5mm to rca directly from PC to amp. Mobile devices are also from headphone jack (3.5mm) to rca on amp.



Does this support multiple zone outs? I would like to be able to assign sources on the fly to different zones if possible...



I am going to try this option first. Do you by chance know if using zone2/3 on the onkyo will affect my 5.1 surround as it does when I use the powered zone 2 option? My guess would be not. Also, will the Onkyo boost the source signal enough to get the results I'm looking for?


Thank you all for the great responses!!!

Ooooof! Integrated MOBO sound to 3.5mm to RCA is probably about the worst quality that you're gonna get in the PC world. Integrated sound is already at a disadvantage, it's kind of an afterthought on the build, it's in a noisy environment (electronic noise, not audible noise), I'm guessing that the power supply of your PC probably isn't the most robust out there, and the D/A conversion may be suspect too! At the very least, be sure you are using high quality cables.

Your easiest solution and cheapest has already been mentioned. Try out the Onkyo receiver. Hopefully, the integrated sound on your MOBO has a digital out? Either optical or coax would be fine. You will probably notice an improvement by simply using the PC coax or optical out to a digital input on your Onkyo. With that configuration, the PC sends a digital signal to the Onkyo and then the Onkyo does the D/A conversion.

If your PC doesn't have a digital audio output, then highly consider either a nice sound card (shielded) that can do the D/A conversion, or even just a $20 sound card that does have the digital out. My experience is that this will be a noticeable improvement over your current config.

Your question about the USP-1, the answer is no. That is a 2 channel analog preamp ONLY.

 

[sddt]

Ooooof! Integrated MOBO sound to 3.5mm to RCA is probably about the worst quality that you're gonna get in the PC world. Integrated sound is already at a disadvantage, it's kind of an afterthought on the build, it's in a noisy environment (electronic noise, not audible noise), I'm guessing that the power supply of your PC probably isn't the most robust out there, and the D/A conversion may be suspect too! At the very least, be sure you are using high quality cables.

Your easiest solution and cheapest has already been mentioned. Try out the Onkyo receiver. Hopefully, the integrated sound on your MOBO has a digital out? Either optical or coax would be fine. You will probably notice an improvement by simply using the PC coax or optical out to a digital input on your Onkyo. With that configuration, the PC sends a digital signal to the Onkyo and then the Onkyo does the D/A conversion.

If your PC doesn't have a digital audio output, then highly consider either a nice sound card (shielded) that can do the D/A conversion, or even just a $20 sound card that does have the digital out. My experience is that this will be a noticeable improvement over your current config.

Your question about the USP-1, the answer is no. That is a 2 channel analog preamp ONLY.

Appreciate the input! So are you saying I will not see any gains from simply running the 3.5 to rca from my PC to Onkyo as a preamp? The PC does have an optical out which I use for the HT setup. The reason being, I can trick windows into using the 3.5 out for music and then switch playback to optical and start a movie. PC is then outputting two audio sources simultaneously. One for HT and the other to a zone of my choosing (3.5 to RCA).

PSU is definitely not the issue since I built this rig myself. 750w 80 Plus Gold rated corsair. I admit, I did not factor in the importance of a sound card in this scenario. However, the built in optical has worked out great for the HT application.

Since the USP-1 does not have the muti-zone capability I am looking for, can you recommend one that does? Do they even exist?

What about the Crown 28M?
14M - 28M

 

[slipperybidness]

Appreciate the input! So are you saying I will not see any gains from simply running the 3.5 to rca from my PC to Onkyo as a preamp? The PC does have an optical out which I use for the HT setup. The reason being, I can trick windows into using the 3.5 out for music and then switch playback to optical and start a movie. PC is then outputting two audio sources simultaneously. One for HT and the other to a zone of my choosing (3.5 to RCA).

PSU is definitely not the issue since I built this rig myself. 750w 80 Plus Gold rated corsair. I admit, I did not factor in the importance of a sound card in this scenario. However, the built in optical has worked out great for the HT application.

Since the USP-1 does not have the muti-zone capability I am looking for, can you recommend one that does? Do they even exist?

What about the Crown 28M?
14M - 28M

Give it a try to the Onkyo via 3.5mm to RCA. My hunch is that you won't notice a huge improvement, but you won't know until you try. If no improvement, then try the optical connection to the Onkyo and see if that solves the problem. If it does, then I would probably just buy a cheaper soundcard with the optical out as a 2nd digi out to the Onkyo. Or use optical for HT and coax for music if the mobo has coax too.

I kind of assumed that if you have integrated sound, then you most likely didn't build your rig. Thus, my comment about the PSU, but I think you got that covered.

 

[sddt]

Give it a try to the Onkyo via 3.5mm to RCA. My hunch is that you won't notice a huge improvement, but you won't know until you try. If no improvement, then try the optical connection to the Onkyo and see if that solves the problem. If it does, then I would probably just buy a cheaper soundcard with the optical out as a 2nd digi out to the Onkyo. Or use optical for HT and coax for music if the mobo has coax too.

I kind of assumed that if you have integrated sound, then you most likely didn't build your rig. Thus, my comment about the PSU, but I think you got that covered.

Thanks again! So my concern now is, in the event that the Onkyo does not provide any improvement, the digital source option will not address the mobile devices which are restricted to 3.5 to rca. What would you recommend in this case?

 

[slipperybidness]

Thanks again! So my concern now is, in the event that the Onkyo does not provide any improvement, the digital source option will not address the mobile devices which are restricted to 3.5 to rca. What would you recommend in this case?

I will leave the answers for this to someone else that has more experience with the mobiles than I do.

I will provide info from my limited knowledge on the topic:

1) If you must use 3.5mm to RCA, then at least get a good quality cable. I highly recommend this one
[h=3]For Miniature Applications: BJC MSA-1 Audio Cable[/h]http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/audio/index.htm

2) Your best bet is to let the receiver do the D/A conversion. This could be done with some docks and some (older) receivers have special ipod cables that let you control ipod through the stereo remote. Otherwise, some newer receivers can do this over USB.

3) Perhaps go wireless with bluetooth dongles, etc, but I'm no expert here.