2. amps-preamps
  3. 1106022947

Am I crazy - tube pre-amp with receiver??

Hi - I am a newbie (but avid reader of this forum). I have a newbie-like question which arose from some extrapolating I am doing.

I hear you can use the TAD-150 pre-amp with the TA-30 Integrated amp, by using the TA-150 as input to the TA-30, and just leaving the volume knob of the T-30 turned up. I hear that this is supposed to provide some sort of benefit over using the TA-30 alone. What one gets outside of remote control is not clear to me - but I digress . .

I have an old Harman/Kardon 3400 reciver, who's remote control no longer works.

Now - what would happen if I plugged something like the TAD-150 pre-amp into the H/K, and used by H/K as an amp (just keep the volume turned up)? The desired result is to improve performance, incrementally work towards a better system, and regain my remote control.

Would this work? Would I see any benefit?

This weekend, I was told by a stereo salesperson that one could get the majority of tube amplification benefits by going with a tube pre-amp / SS amplifier. So I am putting 2 and 2 together here, possibly to only get 1. Ha.

Regardless, the whole point is to incrementally upgrade - and this is one way I came up with. Thoughts? Is this stupid / insane / waste of time & money?
matthew_s

Showing 4 responses by matthew_s

matthew_s OP
5 posts
 
Finally - home sweet home.

Bigjoe - checked the back of the h/k - no dice - no pre-amp bypass. Thanks for the suggestion.

John_tracy - thanks for the encouragement. I suppose I will go with speakers first. I guess I'll keep thinking of how to update the amp / pre-amp. I may yet try to use a pre-amp into my receiver, if I find a good deal here.

Thanks.
matthew_s OP
5 posts
 
Thanks guys - this is all helpful.

I am away on business - so I can't look behind my H/K - but I HIGHLY doubt that there is a pre-amp input. My guess was that the pre-amp would "overwhelm" the receiver if plugged into one of the component inputs.

I did not realize some / many integrated amps had pre-amp inputs. Now this is all making sense. Still, in looking at the Cayin TA-30 specs/photos, I don't see a pre-amp input - so I don't quite get how people are using the TAD-150 with the TA-30.

John - cool to hear about your home-built pre-amp. So - does the Cary have a pre-amp in, or are you using one of the component inputs?
matthew_s OP
5 posts
 
What is the difference between a "passive-pre" and an "active-pre"?

Also - what is the definition of a "line stage" amp?

Thanks!
matthew_s OP
5 posts
 
Thanks.

Two more questions (one objective, and probably subjective):

1) If passive-pre's "work" - why have an active pre? What is it doing?

2) Is it true that one can get the majority of the tube benefit by employing a tube pre-amp with a solid state amp?

Thanks.
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