2. amps-preamps
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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
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?
bigjoe's avatar
bigjoe
693 posts
 
hey matthew,i wouldnt leap to the conclusion that your hk dont have a preamp in,i vaugly remember that model reciever & i do believe it has it.

what your lookin for will not be a regular looking input but 2 side by side inputs that are coupled from the factory with "jumpers" that look kinda like big ass staples.

if you have these jumpers you simply unplug the jumpers which will disconnect your preamp section from the power amp section & plug your new preamp into the power amp section in place of the jumpers & your in like flynn.

i gotta believe the tad will be a huge improvement from the built in stock pre section in the hk reciever.

dont be afraid to try some creepy stuff with what you allready have as john tracy pointed out in the above post sometimes the goofiest stuff ends up being the best sounding.

mike.
reubent
6,979 posts
 
The Cayin (TAD) does not have amp inputs. When used with an external pre-amp, you simply connect the pre-amp L&R outputs to one of the inputs on the Cayin (like the aux. input). The "pre-amp" section of the Cayin is actually passive and only has the volume control pot in the circuit. You would simply turn the volume control to max. and theoretically this will pass the signal through to the amp intact.

Enjoy,

TIC
john_tracy
341 posts
 
That's what's "crazy". I'm using one of the component inputs on the Cary. Setting the volume control on the Cary to ~10-11 o'clock puts the volume control on the line stage @12-3 o'clock. Right now the line stage is driving my new 2A3 SET amp that is "burning in".
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.
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