Is it possible to have two preamps in the same system.

warnerwh · « **on:** 28 Aug 2003, 10:02 am »

I was thinking maybe I could run two preamps. What if I just took a Y interconnect and connected one end to my amp and the other ends to each preamp. This way I could have a dedicated tube preamp for stereo and a preamp for home theater. Even if they were both turned on at the same time this would not hurt anything would it? Or couldn't I just put it in the tape loop? This would resolve my amplifier dilemma. Thanks

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Aug 2003, 10:07 am »

Ah, don't do that

I'd suggest using a switch to select between the two outputs.

warnerwh · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Aug 2003, 10:25 am »

John: Who makes a switcher like you are referring to? thanks

JohnR · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Aug 2003, 10:35 am »

To be honest, I don't know... it's a very simple thing.

If either of these preamps have an HT bypass or an analog bypass then that's effectively the same.

Brad V · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Aug 2003, 05:17 pm »

Quote from: warnerwh

I was thinking maybe I could run two preamps. What if I just took a Y interconnect and connected one end to my amp and the other ends to each preamp. This way I could have a dedicated tube preamp for stereo and a preamp for home theater. Even if they were both turned on at the same time this would not hurt anything would it? Or couldn't I just put it in the tape loop? This would resolve my amplifier dilemma. Thanks

The answer is yes, if I think I know where you're going with this. Are you wanting to combine your HT system with your Audio system? If this is the case, then run your amp outs from your HT Pre into your Aux in on your hopefully better sounding 2 channel preamp.

The answer is no, if you have 2 great 2 channel preamps and you want to switch between the two of them, depending on what mood you're in. Switching boxes just add another place to affect the signal.

Have a great day,

Brad

warnerwh · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Aug 2003, 06:17 pm »

Brad: You are correct. My stereo and home theater are combined and I'd like to be able to use a tube preamp when listening to cd's. Are you sure the output from the preamp won't overdrive the input on the tube preamp. Thanks, Warner

Brad V · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Aug 2003, 06:31 pm »

Quote from: warnerwh

Brad: You are correct. My stereo and home theater are combined and I'd like to be able to use a tube preamp when listening to cd's. Are you sure the output from the preamp won't overdrive the input on the tube preamp. Thanks, Warner

Hi Warner,

I've been doing this for the last 18 months. I've done it two ways. I originally had the B&K AVR 305 hooked to my Audio Research SP-6A and that worked great. Then I had the Tact RCS 2.2X in the picture and plugged my SP-6A into the Tact RCS 2.2X, which in turn went into the SP-6A. Now I'm back to having the B&K plugged directly into the SP-6A.

You will have to pick a volume level on your tube preamp that you will keep it at, when running your HT Preamp thru it. This way you can use the volume control on your HT Preamp and control all speakers at one time.

There should be no harm in doing so. No more so than trying to overdrive your amplifier. It also keeps life very simple.

Hope that helped.

Enjoy,

Brad

warnerwh · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Aug 2003, 06:34 pm »

Brad: Thanks much for your help. Warner

warnerwh · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Aug 2003, 06:25 am »

I've spent numerous hours trying to figure out what to do and adding a tube preamp after my HT preamp sounds like a winner. What I'm trying to do is add some of that tubey euphonic sound. If this is what you were aiming for did it work? The preamps I'm looking at are older ARC or Conrad Johnsons which of course aren't the quality of my Krell HTS but should be of high quality.

michael w · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Aug 2003, 10:12 am »

Yikes !!!

Old ARCs and CJs are probably worse than your Krell preamp stage.

Adding coloration to a system via a tube preamp is a bandaid to a more fundamental problem in your system.

cheerio

JohnR · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Aug 2003, 11:39 am »

Oh piffle. If someone wants to enjoy some fine vintage then WTFAY to say otherwise?

Brad V · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Aug 2003, 01:18 pm »

Quote from: warnerwh

I've spent numerous hours trying to figure out what to do and adding a tube preamp after my HT preamp sounds like a winner. What I'm trying to do is add some of that tubey euphonic sound. If this is what you were aiming for did it work? The preamps I'm looking at are older ARC or Conrad Johnsons which of course aren't the quality of my Krell HTS but should be of high quality.

Hi,

The older ARC that I added was extremely nice. I did quite a bit of research on the preamp and for its time, it was one of the best. What I was told, was that upgrading this SP-6A with top quality Caps, would yield a Preamp, that would stand up to the best $10,000 plus preamps out there. So far, that is what I'm seeing. We compared it a few weeks ago to a Spectral DM20 and it surprised us all. The spectral was better in the bottom and top end, however the SP-6A ruled in the midrange.

The music sounds much more real. I have brought over this preamp to other places and it had the same result.

Have a great day,

Brad