How can I solve my preamp/DAC/subwoofer issue without spending lots of money?
Setup
I'm currently using an Eskinsin bluetooth adaptor plugged into the AUX input of a vintage Kenwood KR3130 stereo receiver. The Pre-out is then wired into a Rotel RB951 Power amplifier, which is wired directly to the speakers. I also have a **Powered subwoofer** coming out of the mono-out of the Kenwood. This gives me a nice 2.1 system.
Diagram: https://imgur.com/dcwedKr
Current Issue
I was unable to get past 70dB of volume with this setup. I was told by user gs5556 on Audiogon the following:
*I looked at the specs for your amp... the high level setting has an input sensitivity of 775mV. The Kenwood receiver specs show a tuner output of 160mV. That's why the amp is not playing loud, the tuner's max output is -14dB lower than the voltage required to drive the amp to max power.
I'll bet if you put a scope to the Eskinsi output to a 0dBFS test signal you will see the same thing -- an output voltage way lower than 775mV.*
So that leaves me with needing a new way to a) get bluetooth into my system and b) a new way to control volume on my system, since I will be abandoning the Kenwood as a preamp.
The only solution I can come up with, which seems to pay a bunch of money
Diagram: https://imgur.com/5f5G3T3
Buy a new preamp with volume controls (and subwoofer out) with the ability to output enough power and to buy a steamer, namely the Wiim Pro Plus (With built in DAC) to go into the preamp so that I can stream music into my setup, continue to use my subwoofer and also get volume controls.
I think this will work and fix my problem, but at the same time I have spent a total of probably $700 on my setup and I'm really not interested in almost doubling the price for these two items. Is there another way? I would love to hear some other ideas. Thank you!!
Does the subwoofer have high level speaker inputs? If so, you should be able to just run the sub in parallel with your main speakers off the same amplifier speaker outputs. If your sub doesn't have high level inputs, I see used active subs that have high level inputs in our area frequently in the $50-$100 range. Keep your eyes peeled, something great might pop up.
|
Just get one of these (or similar) and put it between you receiver and amp. It will increase the output voltage of your preamp. May not be the "highest fi" option and I am sure there are many other out there with various specs, but I just wanted to throw this option out there to you. Seems like the cheapest solution to your problem and perceived limited budget. I hope I've helped! P.S. If your sub is also not loud enough you can just put a two-way splitters on the output of this device and have the output go to both the power amp and the sub/s.Amazon.com: Mini Stereo Line Level Booster Amplifier Audio Preamp 20dB Gain Volume Control : Electronics |
@knotscott it does not have high level inputs. I totally get what you’re saying, but my goal is to avoid spending money on a streamer and a preamp. Not buy a subwoofer as well! Thanks for the suggestion. |
@ellajeanelle that's certainly an option, I didn't know those existed! I wonder if putting a streamer such as the Wiim Pro Plus into my existing Kenwood, into this, to my amp would fix this issue. Thanks for the suggestion! |
