2. amps-preamps
  3. 1169673197

Can i use a PC as a preamp?

Hey all, OK yeah stupid question, but im unsure of the answer and hate to assume.

Im building my new system, and have gotten 2 used Technics SE-A5 MKII amps, and ive got speakers to test them on, but i havent settled on a preamp yet. But id really like to test the AMPs. I cant think of a reason why my PC wouldnt serve as a preamp, i mean when you hookup PC speakers, all they need are built in amplifiers, so stands to reason that my PC is acting like a preamp, right ..?? Am i missing something?

Will this work ? At least enough to test out the amps?

Loookin forward to the usual great help,
Shawn
PS i wont be hooking anything else up to the PC for now, ill just use Winamp and MP3s, i just want to make sure the amps work (they prob wont get a full test run till i decide on a preamp, but i wanna make sure theyre not duds)
ramax

Showing 1 response by eljaro

eljaro
27 posts
 
I am using a good audio card (Lynx22) in my PC, outputting through XLR to two mono power amps and feeding a pair of Altec Santana Speakers. Works wonderfull, as long as you have a good soundcard.
The sound section which usually come bundled with the PCs are nothing special, but to test your amp good enough.
All you need is an adapter with a mini plug on one side and two RCA connectors on the other. You have to controll the volume on the PC through something like Winamp or Windows Media Player.
I particularly listen a lot to streamed music from Smoothjazz.com which use Octoshape streaming software.
Good enough for me on my secondary sound system.
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