Topic: Using an integrated amp as a preamp only...

[pfife]

Hey guys, thanks in advance for assistance with this.  I have an integrated amp on its way, and I figure at some point I'm going to want to use it as a preamp in combination with a power amp, connecting the power amp to the integrated using the pre-outs.   However, I would have speaker posts on the integrated then going unused, which is obviously harmful to the integrated amp.  So, my question, do I plug one of these into each speaker output or something?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062288&cp=2032058.2032230.2032267&pg=2&cp=2032058.2032230&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032267&categoryId=2032267&kw=resistors&kwCatId=2032058&parentPage=search

If not, is it possible to do what I am considering?

[scervin]

People use receivers as preamps all the time.  I've never heard it being harmful, please explain.  However, in most cases the preouts on recievers and integrated amps are not as clean (more noise) than dedicated preamps.  This is at least been my experience and a few others I've talked to.

sc

[pfife]

hmmm.... I guess what I'm worried about is having the integrated amp turned on with no speakers connected.  Isn't that a really bad thing?

[MattD]

Not in my experience. There should be an output impedence on each channel, so the amplifier section still "sees" a load.

[pfife]

Matt, just to make sure I'm clear, are you saying that when the power amp gets hooked up via the pre-outs, the speaker terminals on the integrated don't need resistors?

[MattD]

Pretty much. Check the manual to be sure. Most receivers/integrateds have a section dealing with the pre out. Alternatively, you could look at the specs and see if there's an impedance listed.

[pfife]

thanks +Ts