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Headphone speaker (Audio-GD Compass) usable with passive speakers (Audioengine P4)?

post #1 of 3
7/9/11 at 8:57pm
Thread Starter 

Hello folks,

 

I'm wondering if the amp section of my Audio-GD Compass headphone amp/DAC is usable with passive speakers such as the Audioengine P4? I'm fairly sure it can be used as a DAC, but what about the amp? It looks like it has DAC and preamp connectors. Not sure what a preamp does?

 

Thanks!

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post #2 of 3
7/10/11 at 4:00pm

The preamp is to feed a power amp, which powers passive speakers.  You need a power amplifier or integrated amplifier (power amp + preamp in one) for passive speakers.  Then you use the Compass for volume control.  If you try to use passive speakers directly with the Compass, it will attempt to pump out so much current that it goes poof!  Then you will make this face:  frown.gif

I don't know what to recommend for a power amp.  Maybe one of those Muse T-amps from eBay will do, I don't know.

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post #3 of 3
7/10/11 at 11:17pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you, Max. I will be ordering a pair of A2 as my first speakers, then. Curious to see how it compares to high end headphones :)

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