[Claus1100xx]

Is it possible to run the E-mu 1212m as a preamplifier for a pair of monoblocks or a 2channel power amp? Has anybody tried it?

It seems like pathmix has all the necessary volume controls and the card seems to be able to handle most inputs. Would this work?

 

[dasbin]

I don't get it. A preamp from what source?
Soundcards aren't designed to be sources of clean gain. You're supposed to feed them line level to begin with. The E-MU 1212m does have lots of controls, but the input is supposed to be LINE LEVEL and most importantly LINE IMPEDANCE. Anything else will likely either distort, or suck out all the tone. And a very low level will just mean more noise.

 

[Claus1100xx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasbin I don't get it. A preamp from what source? Soundcards aren't designed to be sources of clean gain. You're supposed to feed them line level to begin with. The E-MU 1212m does have lots of controls, but the input is supposed to be LINE LEVEL and most importantly LINE IMPEDANCE. Anything else will likely either distort, or suck out all the tone. And a very low level will just mean more noise.

LOL I don't quite get the line level stuff you're talking bout. Well all my audio is on my computer, so ideally I'd like to output it to a power amp without a volume control. I'd only only control the volume on the computer and that would control the amp. Also the emu has digital input so I thought I might be able to hook up a DVD and run it through the emu input and have it be output analog to a poweramp. Anway to achieve this?

 

[terrymx]

not sure how well it work but how about a cheap headphone amp as a preamp?

 

[Claus1100xx]

would the ppx work as a preamp? use the headphone out to run to the poweramp?
this gets more confusing as I get enlightened.

 

[jmj]

I think using headphone amp will bring extra not necessary components to signal path (which is not good).

Simplest preamplifies is just volume knob and source selector (there is DIY preambs containing only those components). In your case source selector isn't necessary, so volume knob is only missing. The resistance of volume knob is seen as output impedance, but for example 50kOhm resistor connected between signal and ground should replace that.

 

[kundo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claus1100xx Is it possible to run the E-mu 1212m as a preamplifier for a pair of monoblocks or a 2channel power amp? Has anybody tried it? It seems like pathmix has all the necessary volume controls and the card seems to be able to handle most inputs. Would this work?

I use my 1212M with a Parasound HCA 1000A power amp, without preamp. It works fine. I use the master volume control of my Logitech keyboard as volume control.

 

[Joey_V]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kundo I use my 1212M with a Parasound HCA 1000A power amp, without preamp. It works fine. I use the master volume control of my Logitech keyboard as volume control.

Just be VERY careful... it's easy to turn it to MAX and then... its over for the speakers.

 

[kundo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey_V Just be VERY careful... it's easy to turn it to MAX and then... its over for the speakers.

Not easier than turn to max on a preamp...

 

[Claus1100xx]

thanks kundo - that was the answer I was looking for.
what kind of speakers are you running from your poweramp?

 

[grandenigma1]

you can send the PPX back and have some preamp outs added to it

 

[Claus1100xx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandenigma1 you can send the PPX back and have some preamp outs added to it

yah I'll probably do that when mikhail upgrades it to a SLAM - this place really sucks the money out of your pocket

 

[grandenigma1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claus1100xx yah I'll probably do that when mikhail upgrades it to a SLAM - this place really sucks the money out of your pocket

might as well go all out and do the solen upgrade and 6sn7 gain along with the SLAM upgrade

 

[NightWoundsTime]

or just trade it in for a balanced SDS with all those options

. All the money out of your pocket? No that's probably all the money out of your pocket, your credit, and whatever you can get from your local bank while armed with a shotgun.

 

[kundo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claus1100xx thanks kundo - that was the answer I was looking for. what kind of speakers are you running from your poweramp?

I'm running a pair of T+A Elektroakustik TMR 160.
http://www.taelektroakustik.de