Integrated Amp & Preamp Together Forever

[minkybut]

Okay here is most likely a dumb question, but I don't have a lot of money to make mistakes with. I was thinking of purchasing a SAE possibly model 2900 preamp w/parametric eq to use with my Sansui AU-G99x and Luxman LV-109 integrated amps. I like the thought of being able to use the amps loudness and bass/treble in conjunction with a preamp that has some eq capability. Would it okay to do that? The SAE has two main outs. I was trying to find other preamps that have like a 5 band tone control but Harmon Kardon and Mcintosh were all I found that had two main outs.

 

[Robisme]

How were you planning on connecting it to the AU-G99X? Tape input?

Rob

 

[minkybut]

preamp

Just using a regular patch cord from the HK out to the Sansui #2 tape in that is made for that. I did it last night and it seems to work great. I just hope I'm not screwing up anything.

 

[Blue Shadow]

What is causing the need for so much EQ flexibility?

If you can answer that, you might be able to determine what type of EQ you need.

If you are adding a lot of bass, your amp could run out of power.

If you are having trouble with a certain frequency, the parametric is a good way to cure that.

If you just want to have a couple 5 band units, you are most probably duplicating the EQ bands on the two units, not getting anything special out of that combination.

If you need more control over the frequency response, you might need to move to a 10-12 band unit or if you are serious a 31-band unit.

Not knowing what you are trying to achieve makes it difficult to recommend a solution in the form of the correct EQ system for you.

Then there is the Audio Control 520, a neat, little 5-band unit that has three bass adjustments along with one midrange and one high frequency control.

So what are you trying to do?

 

[minkybut]

I like the thought of being able to use my 2 amps loudness and bass/treble in conjunction with a preamp that has a 5 band some eq capability that does both left and right at the same time. It seems one can drive there self crazy with a mega frequency control eq. I have a Kenwood that has 10 bands for each channel. But thats so much adjusting for different music media or song type or speaker selection that by the time I have made the adjustment with 20 sliders, the song is over!

 

[motorstereo]

Here's a thought:scratch2:; Instead of driving yourself crazy adjusting the eq why not get a pair of speakers that don't require one?

 

[SoCal Sam]

Here's a thought:scratch2:; Instead of driving yourself crazy adjusting the eq why not get a pair of speakers that don't require one?

Agreed. Too many preamps and EQ's in front of the amp is bad for objective signal accuracy. You will have a better chance of preserving the inner detail in the source with a shorter signal path.

 

[minkybut]

So I should get rid of all my speakers, then start buying speakers and trying them with my amps until I find a set that sounds perfect with all music, all media?

 

[DCinDC]

Where you at in VA? I'm in Dale City.

The Au-G99x is a fine amp. If you need to tailor the tone to your liking, then it's likley your speakers aren't doing it for you.

I've been on a speaker odyssey for decades. I'm getting pretty happy with what I have now.

If you are handy, I recommend the econowave thread in the speaker forum, also in my sig.

You should come over if you are nearby.

 

[minkybut]

Hello DC, no I'm like all the way at the botton of Va. near the NC line. My CV XLS-15 sound terrible through all my amps. After eq they sound better.

 

[DCinDC]

PM me your address. I am going to mail you a little EQ. Turn off all other tone controls and loudness buttons, adjust it till it sounds good to you, and then send me a picture of the EQ's settings.

But my gut feeling is that CVs sound like poop. Sorry.

Quit buying electronics and buy better speakers. How do the L100s sound to you?

 

[minkybut]

eq

Thank you DC for the offer, but I had a 20 band hooked up and that did the trick. The curve looked like a smile pretty much. Now I have bought the Harmon Kardon that has a little 5 band that controls both left and right at the same time. I like it because I can tailor fast now and it has two main outs so I can run my two integrated amps through it. I kind of like that as I can now use the amps loudness, bass/treble controls in conjunction with the HK preamp 5 band. Now I'm thinking of getting a Yamaha c-85 preamp that has a small parametric eq built in to try in place of the HK to see how it sounds. It has 2 outs also. I have never used a parametric so I really do not know how I will like it. Any ideas?