2. amps-preamps
  3. 142159-1009

Preamp to preamp

Assume you have two preamps: a vintage preamp (p1) with nice phono input but no remote, and a modern preamp (p2) with remote but no phono input.
Any problem of connecting source --> p1 --> p2 --> power amp?
p1 has tape out, so I guess p1's tape out can be connected to any line input of p2, and I can use the phono of p1 and p2's remote to control the volume, right?

Assuming p1 is a better preamp, CD connected to p1 may just sound like CD connected to p2? Or, even worse?

Any concern on damaging pre or power amp?

 Thx 

128x128ihcho
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,792 posts
 

@ihcho, if pre #1 sounds better than $2 (plus has a phono stage), you could consider going without a remote (the horror!). If you just have to have it, do as you thought---tape out from pre #1 to any pre #2 input for phono. But your CD player should go straight into pre #2. Sending the CD signal through pre #1 gets you nothing, and may cost you a slight loss in transparency.

The addition of pre #1 poses no threat to pre #2, the power amp, or speakers, unless of course there is something wrong with it.

elevick
2,636 posts
 
it will work fine.  Can't hurt to try it.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
I tried this very thing about a year back. It worked but the loss of resolution made me go back to a single preamp (without remote). Doesn't hurt to try though. 
reubent
6,990 posts
 
Not sure I'm following you. Why not just get a decent phono pre-amp to replace P1? If P1 is a nice vintage pre-amp, you could likely sell it for more than the cost of a phono pre-amp of comparable sound quality.

Do you have an emotional attachment to P1? If not, let it go and simplify your setup with a dedicated phono pre-amp.
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