Running Crack though an integrated amp or receiver

tubeglow · 3102

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Offline tubeglow

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on: June 26, 2011, 11:48:55 AM
I use my crack in my office with a desktop as the source and an M-Audio 24/96 sound card with RCA outs. I use headphones most of the time but there are times when I would like to listen to something via speakers. I've thought about getting a small, used integrated amp or receiver and running the crack through it then I could hook up a pair of small speakers I have. The signal path would be, sound card>>>integrated>>>>crack. First of all, would that even work? If so, would it sound very good? I don't know the in and outs of solid state vs. tubes but it would seem to me that if a signal runs through SS then through tubes it wouldn't be the same as just through one or the other.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions, warnings? 


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #1 on: June 26, 2011, 12:11:36 PM
One solution is to sell the Crack and get a SEX amp instead, as it will do both headphones and speakers. But if you want keep the Crack and get a separate amp the simple solution would be using Y cables from the sound card outputs and attaching two sets of interconnects - one to Crack, one to integrated.

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Offline Billyk

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Reply #2 on: June 26, 2011, 02:40:09 PM
Build a switch, or utilize the tape outs if available in the integrated you are thinking of. Heck build yourself a little inexpensive "chip" amp and use a nice switch in it to output to the crack. 100% DIY solution that should sound good too!
« Last Edit: June 26, 2011, 02:43:54 PM by Billyk »

Don't let the glasses fool ya, Stand beside me when you measure my size. Don't let false estimations overrule you, soon even you might come to realize. I've been a wizard since my childhood....

Offline Bones13

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Reply #3 on: July 09, 2011, 06:11:46 AM
A receiver or pre-amp will work.  Just be sure to find one with a set of RCA "line out" or "pre-amp out", and run those to your Crack.  The only problem with this set up is that your speakers will also be running.

I have been completing my Crack (finally found the last loose connection!) and have been running it off of my pre-amp.  This weekend, since my Crack is now crackle and pop free, it will replace the small SS headphone amp that has been holding its place.  I will run the Crack directly off of my DAC, which has balanced XLR out to my pre-amp, and a set of RCA which will go to the Crack.  I leave the DAC running 24/7, and when I have the set up done, can either turn on my Crack and do headphones, or turn on the rest of the speaker set.  Now, if I can just remember to power off the Crack when I am done...

The only problem with my eventual setup will be that I my only source will be the DAC, and currently, with output from the Pre-Amp, I can choose from DAC/Vinyl/SACD player.  I tend to use headphones mainly in the morning, to avoid waking my family though, so I am not seeing it as a problem so far.

I like the splitter solution mentioned above though, and turn on which ever amp you will be listening to, fairly cheap, and simple to use solution, without a downside.


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