stereo out -- mono in??

[hi-fi-fo-fum]

I am currently running a monoblock with a SS stereo preamp. After seeing your kind advice on my other thread (thanks!!), I am looking into getting a tube pre.

For the time being, until I can find a mate for this amp, I am monophonic. What is the best way (if there is one) to go from stereo to the mono input on the amp? I have been using a Y-cable (stereo to mono, yay Radio Shack) from the preamp out into the power amp. I'm sure this is a horrific thought to some of you, but It's where I'm at for now. Is there a better way? Should I put the Y before the preamp into the phono and CD inputs, or better to Y after the preamp? Can it damage anything by doing this?

Or should l just stop playing music until I can find another power amp....

As always,
Thanks!
Craig

 

[Flyquail56]

Does your preamp have a stereo/mono switch? If so, the easiest thing to do would be to set the switch to mono and only use the output from one channel of the preamp.

If that is not possible, then here's an article detailing a better way than y-connectors for combining two channels into one:
http://www.rane.com/note109.html
Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[cademan]

You can use the pre-amp with a Y adaptor, won't hurt anything. I use my DYNACO stereo PAT 4 pre-amp with Y adaptors to drive my mono block tube amp for bass only. The PAT 4 has stereo/mono switches but I just leave them in stereo.