Can an integrated amp be used as a power amp

HT bypass (when available) will allow an integrated amplifier to behave as a power amp, and the preamp (or HT receiver) will connect to one of the L/R inputs on the integrated amp.

I couldn't find the owner's manual for the OP's model on-line, so not sure if it has this option.

Some brands/models allow every input to be used for this feature, and some designate one particular input for this. For some brands/models, it is enabled with a switch on the back of the unit (Naim). Others may enable automatically on just one input, while others will allow any input to be set for HT bypass (software controlled on the amp).

@atorres53, do you see anything in the owner's manual regarding HT or Home Theater Bypass? I don't know how common this is for tube integrated amps.

Okay, cool.

@atorres53,

I would call a dealer before giving up on this, to confirm.

Or sell the Hegel and the Trafomatic, and get a tube integrated and outboard DAC? Seems a shame to only use the Hegel as a preamp and DAC.

Also, confirm the Hegel can operate as a preamp if you go that route, although geof3's comment implies this function exists.

OP is trying to use his Hegel H390 as a preamp?

Perhaps trying to access the DAC output of the Hegel, into the tube integrated? If so, are there other/better options to do so?

Some people use the HT bypass on an SS integrated to incorporate a tube preamp into their system, without having to replace an existing integrated amp. Or to evaluate the use of tubes.

It's looking like this option doesn't exist on the Trafomatic, unfortunately.

My other idea wouldn't work either, where I was thinking you could feed an output of the Hegel (if it existed) into the Trafomatic. In the end, you only want one of them connected to your speakers, so this idea doesn't get you there either.

@atorres53,

The Hegel has a pre out, so yes it can be used as a preamplifier. I also confirmed with Hegel.

I looked at a photo of the H390 tonight and saw the Line Level Outputs for use as preamp and DAC. Too bad there isn't an Analog Out in addition to the Digital Out, to allow the H390 to be used as a source component.

You did your due diligence and now moving on to new adventures. Good luck and hope you enjoy the process along the way.

One final thought. You mentioned buying a tube power amp to use with the H390.
Another option is a tube integrated with HT bypass or other method of using it as a power amp, to provide the flexibility to remove the H390 in the future, if desired.