Almorro A205A

[TommyC]

Hi BrianB. I just emailed you from your websight about this amp and then decided to come see what I could find about it on my normal source of all things Audio. I guess I should always check here first! Loads of info about what appears to be "The Little Amp that Could!" After reading the glowing reviews I am feeling much better about the possibility of spending $800 for an amp I have never even seen! My only hesitation at this point is one too Few inputs. I think if it had three sets instead of two it would be a done deal. Any chance of that happening in the near future, or would that jack up the price too much?

[Andyman]

Tommy:
You can use the front end of a preamp as a switchbox, plus pick up a phono section, or even a receiver and pickup up a tuna too. Use a Tape Out as your source for the Almarro and you're all set.

BTW, I bought one and love it
BTW2: It's AlmArro, not AlmOrro; you may want to edit your post

[TommyC]

Tommy:
You can use the front end of a preamp as a switchbox, plus pick up a phono section, or even a receiver and pickup up a tuna too. Use a Tape Out as your source for the Almarro and you're all set.

BTW, I bought one and love it
BTW2: It's AlmArro, not AlmOrro; you may want to edit your post


How much would a totally Passive Preamp like the Marchand PR41 that I am currently building affect the sound with this amp? I was looking for an integrated so I wouldn't need a pre, but it would probably be the best solution for now I guess.

Hmmm.. I cut and pasted the subject from somewhere and didn't even notice the misspelling...

[Andyman]

I'm not familiar with that amp, but you really wouldn't be using any of the preamp circuitry per se, phono aside. You are not using the preamp outputs, just the tape outputs which are not amplified. By using the tape outs, you're just really using the internal switching to send a variety of signals to the tape heads, which in this case are the almarros' inputs.
Bottom line is that you aren't using the preamp, just the internal switching, and the phono section, which has to raise the input to line levels for taping. So there's no effect on the sound. A tape recorder switchbox for multiple recorders would have the same effect.

[TommyC]

Oh Ok. Now I understand. So I could use the tape output of my H/K730 Receiver?

[Andyman]

Yep, plus you'd get the tuner already built in. Just add a CD to the aux and your all set.
Plug her into the Almarro and select your source on the 730. None of the other controls should work at all as they aren't in the loop, so to say.

[BrianB]

Hi TommyC,

It looks like Andyman has been doing a great job explaining how to feed more sources into the little Almarro (thanks, Andyman!). If you'd like to find out more about the A205A, feel free to give me a ring at 517-881-7753.

Cheers,
Brian
Venus Hi-Fi