EQ-Preamp-Power Amp Connection

[highwaychile]

I know this subject has been discussed at length , but I didn't find anything specifically dealing with the connections for a vintage preamp and power amp. I have an SAE 180 Parametric coming tomorrow so I wanted some comments on how I currently have an EQ running through my system.

I have the output on a Technics SH-8020 Graphic EQ connected to the DAD input of a Luxman CX-100 Preamp. (The Preamp is directly connected to a Luxman M-2000). The input on the EQ is connected to the ouput of a Denon CD player. I then select SOURCE on front of the EQ. The only other source I'm currently using is a Panasonic Blu-ray player which is connected to the Tape playback connection on the EQ. When I play a Blu-ray I select Tape on the EQ.

Would I improve S/N by connecting the EQ to the Tape 1 In/Out on the Luxman Pre, connecting the CD player to the Tape Playback on the EQ and then connecting the Blu-ray to Tape 2 or other in on the Pre?
I realize I'd lose EQ for the Blu-ray this way, but CD's are 95% of my use of the system so I'd sacrifice if that's the best method for connecting the CD player.

 

[JoeESP9]

The fact that virtually every consumer/home oriented equalizer has a tape monitor switch to replace the one it uses in the tape loop says exactly where the manufacturer intended for it to be placed.

 

[jheu02]

It's not quite intuitive though because you then choose your source with the Record Out selector switch instead of your source selector switch if you want to use the EQ.

So, here's how it works on a Yamaha CA-810 which has a Listening source selector (which you'd normally choose to listen to your TT, tuner, Aux...) and a Recording Out Selector:

Hook the EQ up to Tape 1 (Play goes to EQ Out, Rec Out goes to EQ In).

To listen to music without the EQ, you just use your source selector switch to choose the source and be done with it.

To use the EQ, you switch Tape 1 to monitor (or play or however it's labeled). Then use the Rec Out selector on the preamp to select the source. What happens is that switch now controls what signal (TT, Tuner, Aux) is going to the Rec Out of Tape 1. the signal then proceeds to the EQ, where the controls are applied, and then is sent to Tape 1 Playback inputs which you are now monitoring as if you were playing a tape.

 

[JURB]

The PRE OUT/MAIN IN is just fine to connect it. Using the tape monitor works as well, and if you want to equalize your recordings then that is how it is done. But like tone controls in an amp, or even preamp, they do not go to the tape output, along with the volume control. That would make a mess.

If the equalizer has a good enough S/N ratio I owuld say it is good to use PRE OUT/MAIN IN. It does not use up an input, replacing it or not. It complicates things even if like in the old days to play a tape you needed to hit the button on the EQ, not the amp. And as just mentioned, those units with the better dubbing/sounrce selectors make for a problem. Those were designed so you could listen to one source while recording another.

Really, most people rarely need that but as the axiom goes, better to have it and not need it.

 

[lini]

hwc: I don't quite get your problem. I mean, if you've only got the CDP and BRDP as sources anyway, why don't you just hook these to two of the three regular line-ins and the eq to one of the two tape loops? But even in the other case there's still a good chance to route the signal of the BRDP through the eq on the other tape-loop, as the CX-100 should sport a tape copy function, iirc. Don't remember it in detail anymore, though, so you might need to have a look and try and/or refer to the the manual, in order to check for possible limitations (e.g. sometimes copy direction isn't selectable...).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[highwaychile]

hwc: I don't quite get your problem. I mean, if you've only got the CDP and BRDP as sources anyway, why don't you just hook these to two of the three regular line-ins and the eq to one of the two tape loops? But even in the other case there's still a good chance to route the signal of the BRDP through the eq on the other tape-loop, as the CX-100 should sport a tape copy function, iirc. Don't remember it in detail anymore, though, so you might need to have a look and try and/or refer to the the manual, in order to check for possible limitations (e.g. sometimes copy direction isn't selectable...).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

Thanks to all for your input. Really, my question was whether I was incurring a higher S/N ratio by connecting my EQ directly to the DAD input as I described, rather than the Tape in/out.