Connecting McIntosh Preamp to Yamaha AS 3200 - Do I use both XLR Bal 1 and Bal 2?

dman77, 

If you connect the C12000 XLR output to to either BAL 1 or BAL 2 on the Yamaha, you aren't bypassing its preamp.  To do so you need to use the RCA outputs of the C12000.  If you can hear the difference between XLR and RCA, you are doing well!

If you already tried using the RCA mains input on the Yamaha and weren't satisfied with the result, I will agree that a power amplifier with XLR inputs is probably the best solution.

Bill

@wbs oh wow... No, I definitely want to bypass the integrated amp preamp. I tried the mains and it really didn't sound that good. I was told that the McIntosh preamp is really meant to be used with XLRs for best sound quality. I guess I'll have to wait until I get a better amp if that's the case.

You would also need to set your volume control on the Yamaha to full volume.

Bill

After looking at the manual pictures, I would say that it isn't really set up for using the XLR inputs as you would like.  There are RCA preamp outs and amp ins that would normally be used if the preamp and amp sections are separated.

If you use the XLR inputs you will be going through the preamp stage as if your preamp were just another source device.

If you still want to do it that way, you would only need to use one of the pairs of XLR inputs and then select that input with your input selector.

Bill

Utilizing a preamplifier prior to an integrated amplifier is redundant, as integrated amplifiers inherently possess a built-in preamp section. An integrated amplifier essentially integrates the functions of both a preamplifier (responsible for handling inputs, volume adjustments, tone controls, and so forth) and a power amplifier (capable of amplifying the signal to drive speakers). Introducing an external preamp would result in the presence of two identical functions within the signal path, which is typically not advantageous.

1 pair of XLR connectors(2 connectors,Left & Right)feed 1 pair of connectors (Balanced 1 & Balanced 2 Left & Right)on the amplifier..
You have 2 full sets(4 total connectors)of Balanced outputs on the Yamaha amplifier that feed 2 individual sources...