I was just curious can I go line level from lets say a CD player straight to a power amp or do I have to have a pre amp in line?

I know pre amps usually have phono stages in them but is there amplification to the CD line level signal?

you can, be nice if your poweramp had individual Left and Right gain controls.

[QUOTE=crackerkorean]I was just curious can I go line level from lets say a CD player straight to a power amp or do I have to have a pre amp in line?
QUOTE]

Cd Players usually have outputs around 2 volts. Thats high enough for most power amps, so all you need is a volume control.
Some CD players have adjustable outputs. In that case you can run it straight to the power amp without any need for a pre-amp.
Another possibility is to use a volume pot for the output of the CD player before the power amp.

Oh, like everything else in life, so does this situation have its pros and cons.

Jorge

I am just doing some DIY tinkering and was thinking about making a completly passive selction box.

what about tape or or any other sounce other than a CD player?
I am just looking for somehting completly passive ( just cause) I understand that a TT would need a pre.

and i apologize if this is in the wrong section and needs to be moved.

Yes, it works for tuners and tapes as well, though the outputs of these may be somewhat lower than from CD.
A TT will definitely need a pre, not only because the output of cartridges is too low, but also because they require RIAA equalization.
Jorge

i will be surprised if you do this & prefer the sound...

doug s.

i will be surprised if you do this & prefer the sound...

doug s.

Doug,
As a matter of fact I don´t.
I have a several input passive pre which I don´t use at all.
All high quality components, stepped attenuator for volume control, high quality switches, cables and RCA´s. Sound is very, very clean but lacks overall impact and punch in the bass.
So active pre is the way for me now, at least in the context of my present system.
Jorge

Doug,
As a matter of fact I don´t.
I have a several input passive pre which I don´t use at all.
All high quality components, stepped attenuator for volume control, high quality switches, cables and RCA´s. Sound is very, very clean but lacks overall impact and punch in the bass.
So active pre is the way for me now, at least in the context of my present system.
Jorge
yes, jorge, this is what most folk find. w/a passive pre, resolution may be good, but no dynamics or warmth. unless one is using hi-gain sources (perhaps a pro-audio dac at 7v output), &/or an amp w/hi gain - say 1v or less for full output - a good preamp is what's called for. even tho i prefer tubed preamplification to s/s, i would suspect that crackerkorean will find his system quite a bit more musical w/his gfp565 preamp than w/a passive pre.

doug s.

I really didnt plan on using it on my main system.
Was just curious more than anything else. that and wanting to tinker. Trying to learn eletronics in the audio arena of things. figured I would start with the passive pre
that and I dont have to worry about a power supply for it since it is passive

I've used a Radio Shack mechanical switcher which has 4 inputs and one output instead of a preamp. My cd player, tuner, and taped deck all have their own valume controls. I'm using a Accuphase P-300. No problems.

I've used a Radio Shack mechanical switcher which has 4 inputs and one output instead of a preamp. My cd player, tuner, and taped deck all have their own valume controls. I'm using a Accuphase P-300. No problems.
mebbe no problems... *but* - hook the switch box into something like these & i would wager your sound will improve more than a little. (all <$500, some a lot less, some will eliminate the need for a switchbox.):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5850439231
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(this one looks *smokin'* at its asking price of $190, imo...

ymmv,

doug s.