NAD High Level Out?

[Sonofswede13]

Does anyone know how this works in a practical application? I read the part in the manual, but I don’t fully understand it.

Does this mean I can’t send this out to a regular amp (like an NAD?). Or to a Subwoofer?

Thanks as always for sharing your knowledge.

-John

 

[orsen]

i'm sure someone else with with better explanation will chime in here
some amps especially pro gear need the higher output pre's to achieve their full output power
this would also be handy if feeding to multiple amps via splitters

 

[whoaru99]

It's fine to use them if you need a stronger signal to a downstream amp.

What you may find using them in lieu of the normal outputs, if the amp doesn't need more signal (gain) from the preamp, is the system plays loud at a very low setting of the volume control and has little usable range of the volume control.

If the connected amp has its own level controls as some do, and as many powered subs do, they can be adjusted to lower input sensitivity (lower net gain) to compensate for the higher gain from those pre outs.

 

[goodolpg]

i'm sure someone else with with better explanation will chime in here
some amps especially pro gear need the higher output pre's to achieve their full output power
this would also be handy if feeding to multiple amps via splitters

My NAD preamp/tuner has regular and high outputs.
I called Crown after buying an XLS amp, they told me to use the NAD high outputs with their amp.
Wouldn't hurt anything using the regular outputs but it was a "better match" for their "pro" amp.

 

[whoaru99]

That's funny, considering the Crown XLS amps 1.4V (or 0.775V option on the 2nd gen) input sensitivity which is right in the wheelhouse, or less in the case of 0.775V, than many, perhaps even most, non-pro amps.

 

[mr_light]

I have tested the "high" output from my NAD pre to my Crown XLS-2500 and it seems like a good match. With this I should be able to get full rated power out of my AMP, although I have no speakers that could handle that much!

 

[whoaru99]

All but certainly you could get full rated power using the normal outputs. But, for sure, the higher relative output of the high level outputs will make the system seem more powerful.

 

[goodolpg]

That's funny, considering the Crown XLS amps 1.4V (or 0.775V option on the 2nd gen) input sensitivity which is right in the wheelhouse, or less in the case of 0.775V, than many, perhaps even most, non-pro amps.

Not sure what to look for, but my NAD manual says
OUTPUT Impedance
Tape or EPL (processor loop) 1000 ohms
Normal 600 ohms
High/phones 150 ohms
Max. output level 12V

The Crown manual* says
Input impedance (nominal) 10Kilohms unbalanced (I'm using unbalanced cables).

Again, I don't know much about this particular stuff, I just know what I posted above and what Crown told me when I called them to specifically ask which NAD out puts to use with my XLS 2000 (fixed input).
Not sure if those are even the correct specs as pertains to this discussion.



*Looking at the Crown manual I see I bought the Crown 5 years ago last Sunday. My how time flies.

 

[whoaru99]

My point isn't to make such a huge deal out if it. If it works to your satisfaction that's great, and it's not like anything will be harmed.

I just often read comments about pro amps being hard to drive or requiring something above and beyond to drive them. Most often it's just not the case, that's all.

 

[Sonofswede13]

It's fine to use them if you need a stronger signal to a downstream amp.

What you may find using them in lieu of the normal outputs, if the amp doesn't need more signal (gain) from the preamp, is the system plays loud at a very low setting of the volume control and has little usable range of the volume control.

If the connected amp has its own level controls as some do, and as many powered subs do, they can be adjusted to lower input sensitivity (lower net gain) to compensate for the higher gain from those pre outs.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Whoaru99 I think you’re telling what I need to know.

If it won’t HURT anything to run it to a “regular” amp, then I will try it.

Point of clarification. I’m trying to use both outputs. One to an NAD power amp. And one to a home made (not by me) tube integrated, where it will function mainly as a phono pre. Since the tube integrated has a volume control, I might be better off sending the high outs there?
I’m aware, of course, I’m sending through 2 sets of preamp circuits in that case, and it will be up to me to decide if I like how it sounds. But if there is no risk of blowing s**t up, I’ll give it a go.

My point isn't to make such a huge deal out if it. If it works to your satisfaction that's great, and it's not like anything will be harmed.

I just often read comments about pro amps being hard to drive or requiring something above and beyond to drive them. Most often it's just not the case, that's all.

 

[Sonofswede13]

And I guess I should clarify, I understand the high level outs are intended to help out when driving pro gear or other high impedance gear etc. I’m trying to use it for amps that are NOT high impedance. But, it sounds like I’m good to go. Thanks!

 

[whoaru99]

As long as you have a way to balance the levels from gear downstream if they will be used simultaneously you should be able to make it work. Elee, if you have a problem with balancing gain/output from mixing the normal and high output, you can use "Y" cables to split the normal output (or the high output, for that matter).

 

[goodolpg]

My point isn't to make such a huge deal out if it. If it works to your satisfaction that's great, and it's not like anything will be harmed.

I just often read comments about pro amps being hard to drive or requiring something above and beyond to drive them. Most often it's just not the case, that's all.

Like I mentioned, I don't know what those specs I posted mean, I figured you could elaborate or someone else could tell me which specs are relative to this thread.
Silly me, I just listened to what the manufacturer said to do, and then did it.

 

[whoaru99]

The main points to look at are the preamp output impedance, power amp input impedance, pre out voltage and power amp input sensitivity.

For the impedances, a general rule of thumb is to maintain a ratio of 1:10 or more between pre out and amp input impedance (generally that goes for any connection between input and output).

Then, if you want to be able to push the amplifier to full rated output, then whatever is feeding the amp needs to be able to produce at least the voltage given in the amp specs to produce full rated output. In the case of the DriveCore that's 1.4 volts. For the DriveCore2 the input sensitivity can be set to 1.4V or 0.775V.

 

[goodolpg]

The main points to look at are the preamp output impedance, power amp input impedance, pre out voltage and power amp input sensitivity.

For the impedances, a general rule of thumb is to maintain a ratio of 1:10 or more between pre out and amp input impedance (generally that goes for any connection between input and output).

Then, if you want to be able to push the amplifier to full rated output, then whatever is feeding the amp needs to be able to produce at least the voltage given in the amp specs to produce full rated output. In the case of the DriveCore that's 1.4 volts. For the DriveCore2 the input sensitivity can be set to 1.4V or 0.775V.

Thanks. I was wondering why the magnitudes of difference of the specs were so far apart.

 

[Vdata]

A very useful experiment: I connected the Denon DL-103 MC out (I know, it's only 0.3 mV) to a NAD 1020 phono MM input and connected the NAD High level output (at 50% volume) to an ordinary tube amp CD input at 40% volume. The result was fantastic! CLEAR and VERY GOOD sound: no noise, no distorsion. Let you try it out!
You can spare this way an MC phono or an MC SUT