Question about adding pre/sub out to an integrated amp that doesn't have them

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nicksgem10s

Hello,

I hope this is the appropriate circle to post this type of question.

I was wondering what might be involved with adding preouts or sub outs to an Almarro A318B tube integrated amp that does not have preouts or sub outs in stock form.

I believe it is possible but just wondered how difficult this might be and if anyone has done something similar and how it worked out.

The reason I am asking is that I am really loving this amp but wish I could run rca outs to dedicated sub amps/subs.

Thanks for any advice or tips.

Nick

dyohn

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There are many devices available that will do speaker-level to line-level conversion.  However, if your amplifier has a tape loop, an external crossover might be a better solution.

randytsuch

Problem with a tape loop is it is constant output (does not vary with volume control changes)

You could pick it up the at volume pot.  Make sure there is no DC on the signal, and add a cap if there is.  I would also think about buffering the signal, especially if the sub is not close by, I would be worried about degrading the signal by hooking up a long IC to it.

Randy

thunderbrick

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Years ago I had a technician friend track down a receiver's circuit board to find out where the preamp circuits ended and the amp circuit began.  We simply tapped off interconnects from that point and mounted new RCA jacks on the back. Worked like a charm.  'course that was thirty years ago and the circuits were much easier to see.  Or is it that my eyes are not so good anymore?

doug s.

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if your a318b is anything like my a205a mkll, i can understand your affection.   :wink:   i have another pair of amps that use the 6c33c tube, & they're also great, so i imagine the almarro iteration is as good as everyone says, especially, if you need more power.

you could do what i do, & yust use the almarro as an amp, w/its gain max'd.  (or bypass the wolume pot completely.)  get a nice preamp, feed it to an active x-over, hi-pass the almarro driving the mains; subs/sub amps on the low-pass...  you will find this will improve the sound of your mains as well, if they don't have to see anything below 40-80hz. (depending on your x-over setting/speakers...)  you will also find that a good preamp can improve the sonics as well - proper drive from the gain of a quality transparent preamp (i prefer tubed) is hard to beat, imo...

doug s.