Preamp with Pass-thru inputs

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 15 Apr 2003, 10:04 am »

Can anyone recommend a (sanely priced) preamp with a pass thru input? I was thinking the Adcom GFP-750 did but it looks like not. This doesn't seem to be a very common feature, and I don't know why; it would greatly simplify system configuration.

I'm looking for something under a grand, prefer SS but tubed might work. Any suggestions would be good.

bubba966 · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 10:12 am »

Doesn't IRD's new pre's have pass-through inputs?

Those are supposed to kick ass, and come in under a grand as well...

rosconey · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 10:23 am »

look at the new at odyssey thread-klaus has a pre

w/ht bypass

Juan R · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 11:48 am »

Kora eclipse used, You may get one for over a grand.

ZooDog · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 01:38 pm »

I have an Innersound preamp that has HT pass-thru. They retail for $3,000 but I got mine used for $1,500 and it is great.

byteme · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 02:39 pm »

Rob, check this thread out for what I do with a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 preamp. It may not be absolutely ideal, but it works very well for me. There is also some good discussion about the theory of HT passthru.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=1799

jcoat007 · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 04:37 pm »

The Sonic Frontiers Line-1 has an AV passthru. The new IRD stuff does to.

Sa-dono · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 06:24 pm »

Quote from: rosconey

look at the new at odyssey thread-klaus has a pre w/ht bypass

This is what I was thinking of suggesting too. Of course is there any known time frame of when this will release?

klaus@odyssey · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 09:12 pm »

Well, we customize the Tempest for AV BP, and obviously, the Etesian has been designed with this idea to start with.

As for the Tempoest, about 5 weeks back order right now, and the Etesian will be available together with the Khartago in June.

Late,
Klaus

Hantra · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 09:28 pm »

Quote

Kora eclipse used, You may get one for over a grand.

I'll second the Kora recommendation. I have an Equinoxe that is the best pre-amp I have ever heard in my system. I wish I could find a deal on the Eclipse.

B[/quote]

Nelgan · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 03:34 am »

The Sonic Frontiers Line 1, 2 and 3 all have throughputs. And you get to play with tubes. Build quality is beyond reproach, as is sound quality. A steal on the used market. And the coolest remote control in the history of hifi!

John Casler · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 11:12 pm »

Quote

Can anyone recommend a (sanely priced) preamp with a pass thru input? I was thinking the Adcom GFP-750 did but it looks like not. This doesn't seem to be a very common feature, and I don't know why; it would greatly simplify system configuration.

Hi Rob,

I'm slightly confused

(not unusual)

Are you looking for a Pre/Pro with pass thru or a Preamp? The ADCOM you mentioned is a Preamp.

Frankly I'm not sure what or why it would be needed, unless you are talking Pre/Pro and you wish to use the preamp section without digital processing.

But if you are just looking to have an analog system within a HT system, just get a decent analog preamp (like the GFP750) and connect your analog CD and phono inputs to it like normal and run the outputs directly to your power amp. Bang!! Straight, clean and simple analog 2 channel

For HT, just take the L&R preouts of your recieved or Pre/Pro to any available input of your analog preamps and VOILA two systems in one.

There is even an added bonus if you have subs on your HT system.

You can run the "digital" out of your cdp to your Pre/Pro and when playing 2 channel music through your "analog system", you can add in the subs by just adjusting the volume of the Pre/Pro to suit. If your Receiver or Pre/Pro has good bass managment that's even more of a plus.

This way you don't have to spend "megabucks" for a Pre/Pro that is also great for analog 2 channel like the Bryston.

You can get a great little preamp and as long as it has phono, cd, and aux inputs you are all set.

Somehow I get lost on "pass throughs" unless thay are on Receivers or Pre/Pros to keep the signal out of the digital domain.

Regards,

John Casler

VMPS LA CA USA
SUMMIT Audio Video
310-446-0138
800-320-6884 (order desk)
bioforce.inc@gte.net
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=systems;system=72
http://my.register.com/summitaudiovideo.com/index.html

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Apr 2003, 01:17 am »

Yeah, I'm talking two channel preamps. The main reason for HT pass thru is to hook up an HT receiver and a preamp to the same main front amp & speakers w/o any unhooking or wire swapping. When you watch a movie, the receivers L/R preamp outs get routed thru the preamp, untouched by tone controls or volume knob. But by switching inputs, the reciever is totally out of the system for music. Very slick.

The downside to connecting the receivers preouts to a regular input of the preamp is the cascading volume knobs and having to adjust for unity gain. Then heaven help you if you switch inputs and forget to turn it down!

Sa-dono · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Apr 2003, 02:52 am »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

The downside to connecting the receivers preouts to a regular input of the preamp is the cascading volume knobs and having to adjust for unity gain. Then heaven help you if you switch inputs and forget to turn it down!

This is exactly what I warn people about when going that route

John Casler · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Apr 2003, 04:02 am »

Quote

The main reason for HT pass thru is to hook up an HT receiver and a preamp to the same main front amp & speakers w/o any unhooking or wire swapping. When you watch a movie, the receivers L/R preamp outs get routed thru the preamp, untouched by tone controls or volume knob. But by switching inputs, the reciever is totally out of the system for music. Very slick.

With my set up I don't have any wire swapping or tone controls, only the volume knob and since the S/N on the Preamp is 115db and the THD is .002% I can run it at 2:00 and no noise whatsoever. (even with your ear to the speaker)

I lucked out years ago and got the straight wire with gain cliche.

Then for Music the CDP analog and TT analog go straight into the Preamp>Power AMP>Speakers. That signal never heard of a HT receiver.

Quote

Then heaven help you if you switch inputs and forget to turn it down!

I set the preamp at 2:00, which is two hours higher than I could ever listen to it (highest is 12:00) during normal 2 channel analog music listening, and then run the HT channel setup test tones, and set the levels. The fronts are then adjusted so I don't have to worry about over driving.

Out of curiosity, I just went out and checked and with the receiver on and switched in, but with the recievers volume control turned down so it produces no audible signal, I can turn my preamp gain to max (till it stops turning) and not a sound out of the speakers (ear to speaker again)
No hiss, no hash, nada...

That makes me a happy camper

And to think I almost sold this preamp for peanuts (in fact I almost gave it to the Salvation Army with a pair of Maggies a couple years ago.

Only "slight" inconvenience is when I switch to HT, I have to "turn up" the gain on the Preamp, but I do that when I put the DVD in.

I haven't noticed any sonic problems on films, but I guess the by-pass might take a "part, or in some cases two or three", out of the chain, and that is always good. Or at least is seldom hurts

Regards,

John Casler

VMPS LA CA USA
SUMMIT Audio Video
310-446-0138
800-320-6884 (order desk)
bioforce.inc@gte.net
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=systems;system=72
http://my.register.com/summitaudiovideo.com/index.html