Can I connect a poweramp at tape out?
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Glen B
Super Member
It's really NECESSARY to have. Otherwise you run a great risk of sending full signal into your power amp and then out to your speakers. Snap, crackle, pop! :tears:
earphone
Active Member
If you can use the volume control on the amp, why is it so dangerous? What difference does it make whether the volume control is on the pre-source or the amp?
Can't you just be careful and bring the volume up from 0 when you change source material. The volume should be consistent after that, no?
Can't you just be careful and bring the volume up from 0 when you change source material. The volume should be consistent after that, no?
What do you mean by “the amp” on which you can use the volume control?
century tek
Addicted Member
A lot of just straight power amplifiers do not have level controls. To control the level (volume) control plus tone (bass & treble) controls, one would need a standard preamplifier which has volume, bass, treble, etc.
Some power amplifiers do have level controls, and will work just fine except that there will be no tone (bass & treble) controls.
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rwartner
Super Member
I have 3 integrated amps and a receiver connected tape Rec to aux. (output to input).
The volume comes in at source volume but the connected amp has volume control on it just like other aux inputs.
The benefit is all amps have same music and I plug in speakers to all the amps. So increasing speaker capacity. 6 sets.
So you need volume control at the power amp.
The volume comes in at source volume but the connected amp has volume control on it just like other aux inputs.
The benefit is all amps have same music and I plug in speakers to all the amps. So increasing speaker capacity. 6 sets.
So you need volume control at the power amp.
ConradH
Lunatic Member
Most tape outs are line out with no level control. Most power amps have no level control. Plug them together and you'll have blown speakers and who knows what else.
If you have level controls on the power amp, no problem. I sometimes run a CD player directly into a power amp with level controls and it works great. Not a lot of tone control or switching features!
If you have level controls on the power amp, no problem. I sometimes run a CD player directly into a power amp with level controls and it works great. Not a lot of tone control or switching features!
Interresting! I think I understand the concept but am a bit slow today. Do they form a chain of amplifiers, connected via tape out to aux? All have separate volume controls, and the source is hooked up to the first amplifier?
bowtie427ss
Lunatic Member
Most tape/rec outs run around 150mV fixed. Most consumer power amplifiers have an input sensitivity between 750mV and 1.5 volts(1500mV) required for full power out. Connecting tape out directly to the power amp inputs probably isn't going to break anything right away. But, it's going to be loud with no volume control, and it's going to sound pretty "dry" with no tone controls or loudness contour in the signal path.
The solution as mentioned above is a proper preamplifier.
The solution as mentioned above is a proper preamplifier.
This is actually called "daisy chaining".
Except that the potentiometers usually used for input attenuators on most power amplifiers were not spec'd, designed, or constructed for long term continuous rotation/adjustment like the high quality ALPS pots used in many decent preamplifiers.
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AnalogDigit
Realistic fan.
You can, but I would not try it. Using the tape out you won't have the capability to adjust the volume or tone controls. If you want it louder, look for some efficient speakers or get a preamplifier.
mitchalee
Active Member
Just three points to this ancient question:
1. First, it is a good idea to be able to control the volume. So if your basic amp does not have a volume control, some of mine do and some don't, then it's a bad idea. Though I have very rarely been blasted by doing so. Though you may. That is to say, the level of the tape out tends to be about noon on the volume control. But don't risk it unless you know what you will get ahead of time as I do. I have three basic amps with volume controls that can be in or out of the signal path, so for me this is not an issue.
2. Second, unless you need volume, stereo/mono, filters, tone controls, etc; then in my experience I get LOTS better sound from the tape out on my tube PAS3 preamp. Also, works on a McIntosh C26 and high end Nakamichi. Unless there is some difference in voltage or impedance or something of actual electronic difference, then all one is really doing is bypassing all that control junk in the preamp and getting a simpler, more pristine sound.
3. The more important question is this: Is it safe to run a signal to your built-in amp in your receiver with no speakers or phones connected. The answer is NO. If you set the volume on the receiver to zero/silent/mute, then you probably won't fry the output stages of your receiver. BUT most all audio amps NEED a load. SO you can't run an amp with nothing connected and expect good things to happen. Don't do it!
1. First, it is a good idea to be able to control the volume. So if your basic amp does not have a volume control, some of mine do and some don't, then it's a bad idea. Though I have very rarely been blasted by doing so. Though you may. That is to say, the level of the tape out tends to be about noon on the volume control. But don't risk it unless you know what you will get ahead of time as I do. I have three basic amps with volume controls that can be in or out of the signal path, so for me this is not an issue.
2. Second, unless you need volume, stereo/mono, filters, tone controls, etc; then in my experience I get LOTS better sound from the tape out on my tube PAS3 preamp. Also, works on a McIntosh C26 and high end Nakamichi. Unless there is some difference in voltage or impedance or something of actual electronic difference, then all one is really doing is bypassing all that control junk in the preamp and getting a simpler, more pristine sound.
3. The more important question is this: Is it safe to run a signal to your built-in amp in your receiver with no speakers or phones connected. The answer is NO. If you set the volume on the receiver to zero/silent/mute, then you probably won't fry the output stages of your receiver. BUT most all audio amps NEED a load. SO you can't run an amp with nothing connected and expect good things to happen. Don't do it!
mitchalee
Active Member
FYI, my Dynaco power amp just has regular volume controls and they are very robust. Been twiddling them for 30+ years and still dead silent and work factory fresh. Of course, it was built right back in the day. They are even on the front and are very accurately calibrated and channel matched. But you are right that a lot of even very expensive basic amps have junk attenuators because they are cheap and the engineers assume they won't be used. Accountants are generally the jerks who insist on this sort of "efficiency".
rwartner
Super Member
Yes.
Each amp is separate unit with individual volume/tone controls all playing source. It is a way to add more speakers. Mine are in 3 different rooms.