Use a computer as a Pre-amp?

[imported_goku]

Is this possible?

 

[Howard]

Probably. Why don't you just build one?

 

[imported_goku]

Build what? Build a pre-amp? How would I go about doing that????

 

[Howard]

http://sound.westhost.com/project88.htm

 

[slackwarelinux]

Originally posted by: goku
Build what? Build a pre-amp? How would I go about doing that????

You would do that by searching google.

Ah! Somebody posted a helpful reply above me, I suppose I will follow up.
Here is a really simple one, few components.
Here is one if you like vaccum tubes.

Here is an electronics supply store with everything you will ever need, except elusive 2mm spaced header sockets..

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Goku, by making several threads relating to your same topic, you're getting answers that don't apply to what you're trying to do because people don't know what your real goals are.

 

[imported_goku]

Building a pre-amp not only would require lots of time, but would be very difficult and too primitive to suffice for my needs.

 

[slackwarelinux]

Originally posted by: goku
Building a pre-amp not only would require lots of time, but would be very difficult ...

Oh, come on.
I could hack up the fet preamp in less than 15 minutes, its only got 7 parts, and would cost about two dollars to make.

Originally posted by: goku
... and too primitive to suffice for my needs.

What are your needs?

 

[Rubycon]

Do you have Visio?

A diagram of what you're trying to do would help.

 

[imported_goku]

6 component inputs, 6 S-Video/composite inputs, 4 or more optical inputs, 3 digital coaxial inputs, some stereo audio inputs, yeah...

 

[Rubycon]

That's much more than a preamp. Especially if you need YNC level processing etc.

Some receivers do this and have preamp outputs.

I've heard of folks with decent systems retrofitting to HT doing this. Basically they use the preamp outputs to their main amps and use the receiver's speaker outputs for the surrounds and center.

Now getting back to the original idea of using a computer - you would need an a/v switch-router that can control RCA (most are balanced - XLR), optical (TOS Link and again most would be AES-EBU), etc. These products are oriented towards production/studio use and are priced accordingly.

One thing I would recommend against is connecting the preamp output (2V) of a computer soundcard directly to the input of a power amp. If something goes awry your ears, loudspeakers, and amplifier could be damaged.

 

[DaShen]

Hehehe interesting, tagged for later.

I am buying a pre-amp pretty soon actually.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: goku
6 component inputs, 6 S-Video/composite inputs, 4 or more optical inputs, 3 digital coaxial inputs, some stereo audio inputs, yeah...

And then plugging in to a $300 set of speakers

Don't forget that part

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello


And then plugging in to a $300 set of speakers

Don't forget that part

Active speakers at that.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: goku
6 component inputs, 6 S-Video/composite inputs, 4 or more optical inputs, 3 digital coaxial inputs, some stereo audio inputs, yeah...

And then plugging in to a $300 set of speakers

Don't forget that part

Seriously, wtf...how on earth do you need that many inputs.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Seriously, wtf...how on earth do you need that many inputs.

Some people have a lot of stuff.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello


And then plugging in to a $300 set of speakers

Don't forget that part

Active speakers at that.

Heh, actually they're not

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Heh, actually they're not

Gonna need some serious efficiency just running off a preamp.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Seriously, wtf...how on earth do you need that many inputs.

Some people have a lot of stuff.

I haven't gotten a straight answer about why he needs everything hooked up at once and what the actual components are if I remember correctly.

At any rate, my suggestion was a budget receiver (with 5.1 analog input to hook up his X-Fi) and then get a few input switches to take care of his unique needs... and if he wants to, he could hook his old receiver (that has some issues for the audio portion I think) and use that as a switch for some of the inputs. (I think the receiver might be ok except for an amp problem?)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Heh, actually they're not

Gonna need some serious efficiency just running off a preamp.

I don't think his 5.1 polk set is going to cut it

 

[Spacehead]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Some people have a lot of stuff.

That's just a tic shy of being pr0n there : drool;



Your setup?

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: goku
6 component inputs, 6 S-Video/composite inputs, 4 or more optical inputs, 3 digital coaxial inputs, some stereo audio inputs, yeah...

And then plugging in to a $300 set of speakers

Don't forget that part

Seriously, wtf...how on earth do you need that many inputs.

The real question is, how on earth could anyone on this forum NOT need that many inputs? I don't even have a laser disc, LP, or anything like that at all and I'd still need this many inputs..

 

[Old Hippie]

6 component inputs, 6 S-Video/composite inputs, 4 or more optical inputs, 3 digital coaxial inputs, some stereo audio inputs, yeah...

Wow, That's gonna be a tough bill to fill at a reasonable price. You might have to go with a preamp and a switcher....or two.
I've had one of those 6-ways-from-Hell setups and had to have a little laminated reference card to help me along.
Good Luck!

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Spacehead
That's just a tic shy of being pr0n there : drool;



Your setup?

Some of the stuff I use, yes.

 

[MisterJackson]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
That's much more than a preamp. Especially if you need YNC level processing etc.

Some receivers do this and have preamp outputs.

I've heard of folks with decent systems retrofitting to HT doing this. Basically they use the preamp outputs to their main amps and use the receiver's speaker outputs for the surrounds and center.

Now getting back to the original idea of using a computer - you would need an a/v switch-router that can control RCA (most are balanced - XLR), optical (TOS Link and again most would be AES-EBU), etc. These products are oriented towards production/studio use and are priced accordingly.

One thing I would recommend against is connecting the preamp output (2V) of a computer soundcard directly to the input of a power amp. If something goes awry your ears, loudspeakers, and amplifier could be damaged.

I love it when you talk dirty.....