Pre-amp into stereo receiver...

hochpt21
hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
edited July 2013 in Electronics
I would like to try a tubed pre just for fun. (dangerous, I know!)

My HK 3490 stereo receiver has a "Main In."

Can I connect a tubed pre to the "main in" to utilize only the power amp portion of the HK? Or can I connect it to the tape in? Or any other way of connecting?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul
2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited July 2013
    It doesn't work that way. I would find a dedicated amp instead.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited July 2013
    hochpt21 wrote: »
    I would like to try a tubed pre just for fun. (dangerous, I know!)

    My HK 3490 stereo receiver has a "Main In."

    Can I connect a tubed pre to the "main in" to utilize only the power amp portion of the HK? Or can I connect it to the tape in? Or any other way of connecting?

    Any help is appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Paul
    You can use the main amp, by removing the rear pre-out/main-in jumpers.
    The Tape Monitor Loop would not work.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
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    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited July 2013
    The HK 3490 has jumpers on the back that connect the Pre-outs to the Pre-inputs so if you do as described above you can separate the AMP section from the internal Pre-amp in the HK and use a tube pre. You would run the Tube Pre-amp outputs to the HK inputs--this would render the receiver's jacks, FM, phono section, etc. useless, though! I'm not sure how good the HK amp is by itself but it can be done.

    Might give you a "taste" of what the tubes do. But you'd be better off, in the long run, getting a separate power amp.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited July 2013
    With the jumpers removed do I connect to the main in?
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited July 2013
    hochpt21 wrote: »
    With the jumpers removed do I connect to the main in?

    Yes!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited July 2013
    A taste is all I'm lookin for cnh ;)
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited July 2013
    Thanks for the tips.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited July 2013
    Why not just look for a tube buffer instead?
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited July 2013
    erniejade wrote: »
    Why not just look for a tube buffer instead?

    Because I have a polkie willing to loan me a tubed pre.

    I know I could use my B & K, but I would prefer to keep my main system in tact as I try out the unit in a secondary system. I was just hoping the HK would work to try it out for awhile and then decide where to go from there.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited July 2013
    Try it in the main rig, you have all you need there already....amp, dac. All you really need is a couple y connecters for the amp so you can run 2 sources into it.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited July 2013
    tonyb wrote: »
    Try it in the main rig, you have all you need there already....amp, dac. All you really need is a couple y connecters for the amp so you can run 2 sources into it.

    Good point.

    And I know I'm sounding picky now, but the "secondary rig" that I am looking to put together is in a dedicated audio room in the basement. The main rig is in a full rack in the family living room.

    Hoping to audition the tubes for a couple weeks in the lockable :wink: dedicated room while keeping the main rig in tact in the family area.

    I know I have options, but was just wondering about the HK since it is currently unused.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited July 2013
    nguyendot wrote: »
    It doesn't work that way. I would find a dedicated amp instead.

    It works fine that way. You can buy all kinds of equipment and get good deals on it. But if you don't know what you're talking about or don't know how to use the stuff...
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited July 2013
    George Grand wrote: »
    It works fine that way. You can buy all kinds of equipment and get good deals on it. But if you don't know what you're talking about or don't know how to use the stuff...

    I overlooked that such a modern receiver still had the preamp and amp connectors. I admit that mistake.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited July 2013
    There is no wrong answer here, yes you can run the pre into a receiver for an idea of the pre's sound. Would it be the most desired way, no....give you the best representation of the pre's sound.....not really, but it will work if that's all your after. The only thing you shouldn't do....is not try it at all. Experiment away, that's how we learn and discover new things.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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