Am I going to need a pre amp?

MSkeezer

I'm getting a Carver AV505 amplifer to power the LSi7's. I've got a Technics Processor, and I thought that's all I needed. But, I was looking at some Dolby Digital processors on Ebay, and there is a listing for an Adcom GDD-1 processor. It says "It's designed to go between your pre amplifier and your power amplifiers." So, does that mean I'm going to have to get a pre amp? What exactly does the pre amp do? Did I just screw myself royally?

gatemplin

As long as your Technics has pre-amp outputs (it should), you are good to go. The pre amp amplifies the voltage signal from the source.

MSkeezer

By pre amp outputs, you mean the 5.1 analog outputs, right???

gatemplin

Edit:
I looked up your processor, it is not a preamp/processor. You will need a preamp. Those are line level outputs. The cheapest way to get a preamp is, unfortunately, a receiver which is also a processor.

MSkeezer

The processor is a Technics SH AC300

gatemplin

Here is the link, http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/entry.php?sectionid=13&entryid=43 , no pre amp outs

I think that Klipsch makes a cheap 5.1 pre amp for about $150. I think RonP used one.

MSkeezer

If I go with something as inexpensive as the Klipsch amp, will it affect the sound?

VR3

If you plan to get a decoder like a Klipsch...

I personally recomend some old Pro Logic units like the NAD 917 and the Adcom GT(?) 600

both fine units. I personally own the NAD and can be had for around 200 and has a killer 2 channel and ht presentation for the $$. Dosnt have alot of bells and whistles though.

For a lil more you can get the Adcom which effin ROCKS!

If you like to crank it up, the Klipsch isnt for you. Bottom line - 2 channel music.

I personally didnt like the Klipsch unit as a preamp...but it definetely could do HT very well.

gatemplin

Here is the preamp, I dont know how it will sound but I think a couple members tried it

http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=433&cmd=More&cmd_r=

John K.

Thomas, since I wasn't familiar with the SH-AC300, I looked at the operating manual and found that it has the usual 5.1 analog outputs to connect to the five inputs of your amp and the line level input of the sub amp. Although its features are somewhat dated(e.g. no DPLII)hopefully you got it at a very good price and it can serve for the time being.

A preamplifier amplifies very low voltage signals such as those from a phono cartridge which are too low for the amplifier to use as is. Apparently you won't be using a turntable or other very low voltage source, so you don't need a preamp. The output voltage of a CD/DVD player is high enough to drive an amplifier directly.

In the manual I also noticed that a number of cables are included with the SH-AC300. If you have these they may be entirely adequate for your use(possibly a longer cable to the sub might be needed). In your other thread relating to cables I indicated(based on simple audio engineering principles, not mere personal opinion, although some are apparently disturbed by this)that you can't do better than the Dayton cables, but even their reasonable cost might not be necessary unless you have some situation(e.g. heavy interference)that would call for their better shielding.

F1nut

Science can't explain away everything John. Have you actually tried some high end cables, say over $500.00 for IC's on high end gear? When you actually hear the difference, you don't care about theories anymore.