Tube pre for 2ch and HT?

Sami · October 2005

I have seen people talking about HT passthrough on tube pre's, what is this? What else would I need? DD/DTS decoder? I am currently running my system with HK receiver and Adcom 5ch amplifier. About 50/50 for 2.1 (music) and 5.1 (movies), unfortunately I can't add a pure 2ch system but I would love to try tubes.

Another thing is my source, all is coming from a HTPC with optical signal out, I don't have a DVD player and I don't want to add one. I could consider adding a CD player but I mostly play my music from playlists anyway (hard drive), not from CD's.

H/K AVR7200
Adcom GFA7400
5* Polk LSi7
SVS PCU
HTPC with optical audio out

audiobliss · October 2005

Just curious, but how do you rip music onto your hard drive? In what format? At what bitrate?

Sami · October 2005

audiobliss wrote:

Just curious, but how do you rip music onto your hard drive? In what format? At what bitrate?

CDA -> WAV (CDEx) -> APE (Monkey's Audio, lossless, at least supposed to be)

Downloaded APE plugin for Nero so I can easily burn them back into CD's again. Originals are staying in their covers so I won't scratch them.

reeltrouble1 · October 2005

Sami,

You would put the Tube pre with the HT-pass in line after your receiver. Run your front preouts from the reciever to an installed HT input on the pre. Then run from the pre output to the amp input. You flip a switch on the pre to move from 2 ch to HT.

Its easy and effective. Both my Dodds have it. You have to ask Gary Dodd to make you one this way for the ELP, with the MLP the pass through comes stock.

RT1

Sami · October 2005

Would this setup then:

- tube pre volume control in HT would be non-functional and not affect the output?
- tube will only be active in 2ch playback, HT is all receiver driven?

Wouldn't the receiver still process 2ch as I am using optical out which the receiver needs to process in order to pass it through the preouts? If so then this would add 2 preamps that alter the signal and that's not very desirable.

audiobliss · October 2005

^^ That's sorta the way I've seen it. However, I'm hoping to be 'enlightened' otherwise.

Sami · October 2005

After I think it over, using optical wouldn't matter as someone needs to process the digital data anyway and the receiver does it rather than a CD player. Now I'm only worried about the signal from the receiver to preouts. Then again I don't see how the receiver in the chain wouldn't matter.

Now I'm thinking maybe it's the altered sound a tube preamp gives that everyone likes so much? (Nothing wrong with that so nobody please take it as a negative comment.)

audiobliss · October 2005

Sami wrote:

Now I'm thinking maybe it's the altered sound a tube preamp gives that everyone likes so much? (Nothing wrong with that so nobody please take it as a negative comment.)

That's the general idea I've got...and I'm OFFENDED!!!!

okiepolkie · October 2005

You could also try this in the mix, between your receiver and amp, although getting the Dodd preamp would be about the same price from what I understand: http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AMUFIX10V3

reeltrouble1 · October 2005

Sami,

You almost have it. The pass allows the use of the same amp to do 2 ch and the HT. Your two ch sources run analog straight to the inputs on the pre. You run digital from your DVD to the receiver which processes the signal and passes it for the fronts through the pre. You do not burn tube time for HT with this setup. Because it is a straight pass through no sonics are added to the signal from the receiver.

So yes, the Volume control does not work, actually, with the ELP, you dont even turn the pre's pwer on.

rT1

audiobliss · October 2005

Oh, I see, now. So you would hook up your sources via a digital connection to your receiver for HT and via RCA cables to your tube pre for 2-channel. That's pretty cool. So the receiver wouldn't have to be on for 2-channel, and the tube pre wouldn't have to be on for HT.

reeltrouble1 · October 2005

Ding!!!

By jove you've got it!!

The only exception with the receiver would be if you a 12v trigger turning on your amp, then of course the receiver has to be on.

RT1

Sami · October 2005

That for me would mean putting my standalone CDP back to the rack, and I couldn't use the HTPC for music anymore. Unless of course I'll go and get a high-end sound card to replace the Chaintech AV710.

Anyone in DFW area have a tube-pre with HT-pass I could A/B in my system to see if it is worth it? I'll buy the beer...

Sami · October 2005

Well, I think the point might be moot for me anyway as I would have to get the subwoofer to work as well. Getting too complicated...

reeltrouble1 · October 2005

Not really, you just need another output on the pre to run to the sub. Its all about taking the rig to next level. Think about exactly what you want to do, then call whatever manufacturer and get it custom made for you. When you are dealing with these smaller companies/one man shops they are very creative.

Sami · October 2005

Will they also put in a crossover switch? I don't want to run full range to the 7's (SVS has a switch.)

reeltrouble1 · October 2005

You really dont need a crossover switch if you want to do that, just run wire from the amp to the SVS then from the SVS to the 7's. Set the crossover on the SVS where you want. This is the "Polk Way" to hook a sub.

RT1

Gaara · October 2005

I personally use a Modwright SWL and a B&K Ref 50. I have a sub hooked in as well, the way I do it is cd player to my SWL. Then SWL out to the amp, and also out to my B&K. I then dial in the B&K and viola, both going at the same time. Works like a charm.

If you are worried about crossovers you could use passive crossovers, like the Harisson Lab F-Mods.

Jared

Tube pre for 2ch and HT?

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