#1
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How Do I Connect Two Preamps?
I have two tube preamps--one with vintage, warm and forgiving sound and the other preamp with an accurate, highly detailed and dynamic sound.
The majority of the time I prefer the accurate sounding preamp but part of the time I would prefer listening to the vintage sounding preamp for some pop and jazz recordings. How could I safely connect the two preamps to one power amp in my system to make it convenient for switching between the two preamps? |
#2
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As far as I know there is no safe way to do that. You are better off just having one set of interconnects that you swap between the two pre-amp. The issue I see is that you then need sources that can simultaneously connect to each pre-amp. No easy way to do it.
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#3
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That's what I do! I swap between my Marantz AV-7005 5.1 pre/proc to my Herron VTSP-1A tube pre for 2 channel listening.
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Paul Speakers: Von Schweikert VR-5 Anniversary MK II Front L/R, LCR-35 Center, VR-1 Rear L/R Sub: JL Audio F113 Amps: PS Audio BHK Signature 300 Mono, McIntosh MC207 Pre-Amp PS Audio BHK Signature and Gold Note PH-10 Phono Stage/PSU-10 Power Supply Turntable: VPI HR-X 12.7 TONEARM (2) and SDS, Stillpoints LPI Tape Deck Otari 5050B II2 Music Server: Aurender N100H Cartridges: Ortofon Cadenza Black, Lyra Helikon Mono Digital Source: Oppo UDP-205 DAC: Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE SSP: Marantz AV8801 Cables: Wireworld Electra 7 (P) Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7, Shunyata Delta NR (I) Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7 (S) Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (USB) AC Power Regeneration: PS Audio DirectStream P15 Power Plant and Shunyata Denali 6000s V2. |
#4
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Is connecting two preamps with a "Y" connector to one power amp significantly different from using a "Y" connector to combine the left and right channels of one preamp and plugging it into the power amp?
I don't see it as being "dangerous" but you might have interference between the two preamps that might adversely affect the sound. ? ? ? ? Why not just use a component input switcher? |
#5
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You can connect up to 4 preamps with something like a Goldpoint SW4 Input Selector.
Althought it's made for switching multiple inputs, it works with preamps as well. Goldpoint have enclosures and parts so you can make your own to your specs, i.e. 2 or 3 inputs... Last edited by Niles; 02-26-2013 at 08:24 PM. Reason: Removed active link... |
#6
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Good one Niles, it has four inputs and one output, but it is single ended only.
I never knew about the Goldpoint switchers. They have MANY! I just found this on their website: goldpt.com see the SW2X-1 It has two pairs of balanced inputs and one pair of balanced outputs. Unfortunately, they do NOT have a switcher with both balanced and RCA connections, but you could use an RCA to XLR adapter from your vintage tube preamp so you could connect it to the XLR on the Goldpoint switcher. Come to think of it, since your preamps are both tube, they might both be single ended RCA, so Niles' suggestion may be just the thing. Last edited by GaryProtein; 02-26-2013 at 08:50 PM. |
#7
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In my original post I forgot to say that my accurate tube preamp has both balanced and unbalanced outputs and my hybrid power amp has both balanced and unbalanced inputs.
Could I safely use both balanced and unbalanced inputs into my power amp? (unbalanced output from the vintage preamp and balanced output from the accurate preamp) Last edited by Steady339; 02-27-2013 at 02:31 AM. |
#8
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Usually you can use one or the other NOT BOTH sets (balanced and unbalanced) of power amp inputs.
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#9
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Quote:
Gary, thanks for your feedback on my question also. Roger Last edited by Steady339; 02-28-2013 at 03:30 AM. |
#10
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I have used GoldPoint products in the past, they are good.
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