Pre-amp with old receivers?

[HeezDeadJim]

This may be a dumb question...but can I use a pre-amplifier with older receivers?

For example: I'm looking at a rotel (or similar) pre-amp to handle digital switching (Coax/opty) and do 2-channel analog into DPLII to two older receivers (Pioneer SX-3700, Rotel RX-202). The Pioneer handling the front L/R and the vintage Rotel doing the surround L/R.

I remember I tried to hook up my old Kenwood KR-2400 via AUX in from my Onkyo TX-NR807's "pre-outs"...and I didn't get any sound. Did I do something wrong?

Will pre-outs work only with "real" amplifiers and not receivers? I thought I could just run the pre-outs from the pre-amp and into the AUX's of the two older receivers?

 

[62caddy]

Actually that is exactly what I am doing...sort of. I'm using the pre-outs of a receiver to feed both a power amplifier and another receiver. I certainly can't understand why you got no sound from your Kenwood-fed Onkyo. Assuming both units were working correctly and you should've gotten some sound. I'd first ascertain the AUX input was functioning with another source and do the same with the Onkyo.

 

[HeezDeadJim]

Actually that is exactly what I am doing...sort of. I'm using the pre-outs of a receiver to feed both a power amplifier and another receiver. I certainly can't understand why you got no sound from your Kenwood-fed Onkyo. Assuming both units were working correctly and you should've gotten some sound. I'd first ascertain the AUX input was functioning with another source and do the same with the Onkyo.

Ah, excellent! I was hoping it was something wrong on my part and not technicalities on the devices.

I really don't care about the Onkyo acting as a pre-amp anymore. That was when I first got it and wanted to try out the "pre-outs" since it was the first "mid-fi" receiver to actually have some (the Onkyo will stay as the main room home theater).

I just want a proper pre-amp for my bedroom since I really like the sound of the Pioneer for my fronts (especially 2-channel music).

Thank you, 62caddy!

 

[toxcrusadr]

I believe the pre-out signal is at a higher level (voltage) than line level inputs are looking for, which is why it is called pre-out instead of line out. Thus it could overload the line level input and cause distortion. The 'correct' setup is to use a receiver that has pre-out/main in jacks, remove the jumpers, and plug your pre into the main-in jacks.

That said, you should have gotten some sound.

 

[krazygrrl]

Hi HeezDeadJim.. (I'm a Trekky-girl too, but I won't tell anyone *wink*)

Your receiver is a "real" pre and power amplifier. The outputs, just allow you control and to split them when you need to. I used to have a Yamaha RX-870 where I ran my Adcom GFA-545 amp and a Pioneer EQ... with the Yamaha acting only as a preamp. When I bought my current pre-amp, I tried running the Yamaha as a power-amp as the Adcom was out for repairs. Both times, it ran very well.

I would suggest using very good quality shielded cables though. I make my own out of high-quality, shielded co-axle cables and use RCA adapters. This works very well and at much lower cost than say comparable Monster cables.

 

[HeezDeadJim]

I believe the pre-out signal is at a higher level (voltage) than line level inputs are looking for, which is why it is called pre-out instead of line out. Thus it could overload the line level input and cause distortion. The 'correct' setup is to use a receiver that has pre-out/main in jacks, remove the jumpers, and plug your pre into the main-in jacks.

That said, you should have gotten some sound.

And I'm confused again...

Let's take the Onkyo out of the equation (I don't plan on using it, and I think I probably didn't have the correct input setting on the receiver....).

I plan on getting a some sort of "pre-amp" or receiver with the 5.1 outputs (either an older Rotel pre/pro, or a Cambridge Audio 540a 6.1 receiver that has pre-outs).

So would I be able to use a Pioneer SX-3700 and a Rotel RX-202 with AUX inputs for front R/L, back R/L respectively? And yes, I do plan on using the volume of the Rotel or Cambridge Aud as the "master" volume.

 

[toxcrusadr]

I would suggest looking at the specs for the units and find out what the output and input voltages are. I would hesitate to guess although someone else here might.