Can you use an integrated amp as an amp?
polkfarmboy
Posts: 5,703
The question sounds so dumb
Can I use my tube integrated as an amp with my receiver via the preouts
Can I use my tube integrated as an amp with my receiver via the preouts
Post edited by polkfarmboy on
Comments
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While not ideal, sure you can. You'll have to tweak the volume settings on the integrated, contrary to popular belief, you can overdriver line voltage, but it can work, and work well. It really comes down to input impedance on your integrated, and output impedance (and voltage) on your receiver.
Cheers,
RussCheck your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service. -
I have seen on some that there is a bypass inputs on the back that will allow you to do this.Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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Well this sounds like good news
I may try putting my pioneer elite on stereo and pump some 2 channel stereo into it from a digital source like pandora via hdmi
This method should make it easier to wait on a dac because the receiver will be doing the conversion and putting it into analog through my integrated tube amp
I will try giving this a blast tomorrow .Before I was running a 6.5 lead splitting it into rca from my laptop into the tube and it did not sound good -
Many integrateds have preamp outputs and power amp inputs, with jumper bars in between the two. If yours is setup like this, you should be able to just remove the jumpers and connect your receivers preouts into the integrateds power amp inputs.
You could also do vice-versa, and use the integrated as a preamp by connecting it's preamp outputs to an external power amp.
What integrated are you asking about?The nirvana inducer-
APC H10 Power Conditioner
Marantz UD5005 universal player
Parasound Halo P5 preamp
Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's -
My integrated tube amp does not have anything like you mention curt
Its a yaqin mc10l ...pretty basic stuff with just 4 rca inputs for cd ,tape,dvd and tuner
My receiver has pre outs so I will just hook up the L/R ch to the tube integrated -
comfortablycurt wrote: »Many integrateds have preamp outputs and power amp inputs, with jumper bars in between the two. If yours is setup like this, you should be able to just remove the jumpers and connect your receivers preouts into the integrateds power amp inputs.
You could also do vice-versa, and use the integrated as a preamp by connecting it's preamp outputs to an external power amp.
What integrated are you asking about?
Unless you have a very high dollar tube integrated this feature is not common on tube integrated's.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
IMO, I wouldn't bother with the hassle as you won't realize much, if any improvement. Why are you wanting to do this?
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
IMO, I wouldn't bother with the hassle as you won't realize much, if any improvement. Why are you wanting to do this?
H9
I dont have a dac so the receiver could act as one -
Unless you have a very high dollar tube integrated this feature is not common on tube integrated's.
H9
I know most old Pioneer's (silverface) would use jumpers. Newer int.amps (like McIntosh's) also often have the option.polkaudio Monitor 5 Series II
polkaudio SDA-1 (with the SL1000)
TEAC AG-H300 MK III stereo receiver
beyerdynamic DT-880 Premium (600 Ω) headphones
SENNHEISER HD-555 headphones
Little Dot MK IV tube headphone amp
Little Dot DAC_I balanced D/A converter -
I know most old Pioneer's (silverface) would use jumpers. Newer int.amps (like McIntosh's) also often have the option.
When did Pioneer make an integrated tube amp? For the price of the MC's tube integrated's I'd expect them to have this feature on some models.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Ayon offers that feature on some of their tube integrateds.
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Instead of using the pre outs of the reciever you could use its tape monitor or record out thus bypassing its(redundant) preamp stage.Since the level of the tape monitor output is non adjustable volume would be controlled by the integrated.
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Unless you have a very high dollar tube integrated this feature is not common on tube integrated's.
H9
That's what I've noticed as even the Ayre C5 we used at CAA didn't have pre-outs. They're certainly out there but I'd say 50% of what I've used didn't have them.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Instead of using the pre outs of the reciever you could use its tape monitor or record out thus bypassing its(redundant) preamp stage.Since the level of the tape monitor output is non adjustable volume would be controlled by the integrated.
I wouldn't suggest doing that as a generic rule as the tape loop or record out could be designed drastically different between manufacturers. You should check the spec's before doing something like that at the very least.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Tape monitor/recording outputs are usually just buffered direct feeds from the source component.
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I'm aware of what they are, thanks.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Instead of using the pre outs of the reciever you could use its tape monitor or record out thus bypassing its(redundant) preamp stage.Since the level of the tape monitor output is non adjustable volume would be controlled by the integrated.
I agree with Doro and...I wouldn't suggest doing that as a generic rule as the tape loop or record out could be designed drastically different between manufacturers. You should check the spec's before doing something like that at the very least.
Exactly and they must preferably go through a pre-amp of some sort as the signal is lower at that stage, noise could be present and the amp would need to be pushed at higher levels in order to compensate for poor lower input.Tape monitor/recording outputs are usually just buffered direct feeds from the source component.
Aren't you happy to still be able to learn at your ageI'm aware of what they are, thanks.
DARE TO SOAR:
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OK other than maybe only a unity gain buffer stage if the signal routed to the recording outputs is not being altered in anyway(no gain,EQ etc.)theN why not do it?what do you think are the comprimises with this simpler signal path approach?I'm aware of what they are, thanks. -
I'm not questioning the idea of the simpler path but not every manufacturer uses the same theory and signal path. It's not a standard. The voltages and/or gain could vary and depending on your loudspeaker at any given time, it could be a serious issue in the chain of gear. Just because it's available doesn't mean it's usable.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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A tape output only needs unity gain buffering(no gain) to isolate the output from the loading effects of a connected recorder that is shut off.Some older units simply used resistors instead of an opamp for the purpose.I agree with Doro and...
Exactly and they must preferably go through a pre-amp of some sort as the signal is lower at that stage, noise could be present and the amp would need to be pushed at higher levels in order to compensate for poor lower input. -
I'm not questioning the idea of the simpler path but not every manufacturer uses the same theory and signal path. It's not a standard. The voltages and/or gain could vary and depending on your loudspeaker at any given time, it could be a serious issue in the chain of gear. Just because it's available doesn't mean it's usable.
You can count on my wallet if anything broken due to the use of Line level (recording) Tape Output, I will fix it or pay for it. Well, exception applies if your amp is under 100 ohms input impedance.
Just saying it's quite safe to use.
The downside is as Fred mentioned before, there is no preamp control over it and sometimes, signal may be attenuated in some designs.Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
It wasn't so much about the impossible than simply about knowing what you're doing before you start throwing interconnects onto outputs you never used in your entire audio life. Not every piece of gear is designed the same way.
Go for it, it's not my gear but I've never....ever, had a need to utilize tape outputs on any of the 100 or so rigs I've maybe owned. YMMV. I'll just go back to my boombox.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
You must have missed the part where I said the integrated amps volume control would be what you set the levels with.In this way with the tape out from the reciever hooked into an aux input on the integrated would work like any other source.Anyway IMO it's somthing the OP could try,no harm will be done.The voltages/and or gain could vary depending on your loudspeaker at any given time, it could be a serious issue in the chain of gear. Just because it's available doesn't mean it's usable. -
No, I didn't miss it. I understand what you're saying.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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It wasn't so much about the impossible than simply about knowing what you're doing before you start throwing interconnects onto outputs you never used in your entire audio life. Not every piece of gear is designed the same way.
I agree. But the question is more about the SQ if Tape output is used. I guess that's why I avoided Integrated Units as much as possible.I'll just go back to my boombox.
Well, your boombox can play louder than my boombox?Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
I wish. CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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My Bose Wave Radio trumps whatever you might have James.;):p
Well, your boombox can play louder than my boombox? -
I wish. My bluffing works?My Bose Wave Radio trumps whatever you might have James.;):p
Friends don't let friends listen to Bose Wave Radio. I'll send over my boombox to you next time. Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
:(Even if it has the Clarity Cap upgrade?:D
Friends don't let friends listen to Bose Wave Radio.:D -
Oh, crap! All you BOSE owners are filthy RICH!
I can only dream of putting a Clarity cap in my boombox. Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
