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Preamp for home audio

linussuperstar, modified 4 Years ago.

Preamp for home audio

Youngling Posts: 6 Join Date: 7/25/18 Recent Posts

What do you guys use as a preamp for home audio?

Looking for something to control my 8020. Not a lot of options with XLR out in the affordable HI FI world. Any suggestions ?!

elsapo2001, modified 4 Years ago.

RE: Preamp for home audio

Youngling Posts: 19 Join Date: 10/3/17 Recent Posts
linussuperstar:

What do you guys use as a preamp for home audio?

Looking for something to control my 8020. Not a lot of options with XLR out in the affordable HI FI world. Any suggestions ?!

What is your source? Thwre are plenty of options. For my TV set I use an inexpensive adapter that works well. Plenty of options in the 100 and under range if you just need to drive the speakers.
linussuperstar, modified 4 Years ago.

RE: Preamp for home audio

Youngling Posts: 6 Join Date: 7/25/18 Recent Posts
elsapo2001:

What is your source? Thwre are plenty of options. For my TV set I use an inexpensive adapter that works well. Plenty of options in the 100 and under range if you just need to drive the speakers.


I have 3 sources: DAC(Mac Mini), phono pre and TV. I’m curently using a preamp with homemade RCA to XLR cable. Was just wondering if people were using regular “HIFI” preamp with XLR out or any other solution.


 

hako, modified 4 Years ago.

RE: Preamp for home audio

Youngling Posts: 16 Join Date: 8/5/14 Recent Posts
I’m using Cambridge Audio Azur 752 bd. It does not have XLR out but it has the inputs I need and works as a stereo/7.1 system.
csc, modified 4 Years ago.

RE: Preamp for home audio

Youngling Posts: 1 Join Date: 1/2/19 Recent Posts

I use the Cambridge Audio CXNv2 network streamer, which has XLR analog out and is truly outstanding imho. The first generation model CXN might be bought 2nd hand if you are on a budget.

 

However, for digital Genelec SAMs (I have the 8341s), using a digital network streamer forces you to use an external volume control (I use the wired 9310A), since the streamer's volume control will NOT affect its digital outputs (SPDIF), only the analog out.

This is painful and absolutely NO FUN TO USE (and the wireless volume control is only marginally better), since the CXN has great AirPlay integration (volume control from iPhone/iPad/MacBook, from Spotify and itunes), Chromecast, Roon, a supplied IR remote control, and an integrated volume control knob.

I would really, really love to see a device that could read-out the CXN's volume setting (e.g. via its http webserver) and transform this into a volume control signal to the GLM kit. 

This would be really, really cool: Full digital chain, full resolution, and full integration...

Maybe someone reading this forum has a solution? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

chakshu, modified 4 Years ago.

RE: Preamp for home audio

Padawan Posts: 43 Join Date: 2/10/14 Recent Posts
csc:

I use the Cambridge Audio CXNv2 network streamer, which has XLR analog out and is truly outstanding imho. The first generation model CXN might be bought 2nd hand if you are on a budget.

 

However, for digital Genelec SAMs (I have the 8341s), using a digital network streamer forces you to use an external volume control (I use the wired 9310A), since the streamer's volume control will NOT affect its digital outputs (SPDIF), only the analog out.

This is painful and absolutely NO FUN TO USE (and the wireless volume control is only marginally better), since the CXN has great AirPlay integration (volume control from iPhone/iPad/MacBook, from Spotify and itunes), Chromecast, Roon, a supplied IR remote control, and an integrated volume control knob.

I would really, really love to see a device that could read-out the CXN's volume setting (e.g. via its http webserver) and transform this into a volume control signal to the GLM kit. 

This would be really, really cool: Full digital chain, full resolution, and full integration...

Maybe someone reading this forum has a solution? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been looking into this for years. My solution after alot of research is to go analog.

 



 

costakis, modified 4 Years ago.

RE: Preamp for home audio

Padawan Posts: 76 Join Date: 2/13/19 Recent Posts
elsapo2001:
linussuperstar:

What do you guys use as a preamp for home audio?

Looking for something to control my 8020. Not a lot of options with XLR out in the affordable HI FI world. Any suggestions ?!

What is your source? Thwre are plenty of options. For my TV set I use an inexpensive adapter that works well. Plenty of options in the 100 and under range if you just need to drive the speakers.
There are quite lot of offers from the professional world. I would sugest a sound card with one analog input for your phono & TV, search for them (ranging normally from 150-600 euros). Another solution that has great sound, XLR outs and many inputs (both line & phono) is Denon 6000 mk2 (around 500 euros). 

 
lukester, modified 4 Years ago.

RE: Preamp for home audio

Jedi Master Posts: 296 Join Date: 4/22/10 Recent Posts

And then there's also monitor controllers.

 

Drawmer MC2.1, Mackie Big Knob.

No remotes though.

jamieu, modified 4 Years ago.

RE: Preamp for home audio

Youngling Posts: 3 Join Date: 6/5/17 Recent Posts

 

MiniDSP's SHD series might be another option