Amp/Preamp Asylum

Try this . . .

24.252.111.23

tlea

A

In Reply to: RE: B&K reference 2220 hook up posted by Mashed701 on July 10, 2024 at 17:51:00

As inmate 6bq5 suggested, use the same RCA cables that are connecting the HK to the B&K but connect them from the HK Pre-Out to Main In. Same as you were doing with the jumpers before. Be careful not to let any connectors touch and short out. Connect some speakers to the HK. If this sounds okay, then you know the problem is with the B&K amp. If it doesn't sound okay, then the problem is with the cables. Unless you somehow accidentally damaged the HK when you removed the jumpers.

All this assumes the HK was working properly before you started this process.

. . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .

Follow Ups:

RE: Try this . . . - Mashed701 18:33:19 07/10/24 (5)
connecting rca cables as you suggested to the HK it has the same volume output as being connected to the amp. I would think an amp rated at 230w a channel would be able to out put way more than an 80w per channel receiver. I may be explaining the problem wrong? The speakers worked fine just connected to the HK and after connecting the amp there is no difference in volume output to the speakers. I did hook my phone to the amp from the 3.5mm on the phone via 2 rca to the input of amp and the volume level out of the speakers is EXTREMELY louder than being connected to the HK, this is why I'm thinking It's the receiver.
- Second thoughts - tlea 06:59:25 07/11/24 (0)
  After re-reading this post, I think you may be confusing amplifier power with amplifier gain . It's not hard to get them confused.
  
  You wrote, "...it has the same volume output as being connected to the amp..." and "...after connecting the amp there is no difference in volume output..." . That is to be expected. The two amps have different power output ratings, but it is likely that they are similar in gain. So at any given volume setting on the preamp, the loudness should be about the same. From your original post, I understood otherwise.
  
  If you want to learn more about the difference between gain and power, there is plenty of info online. Or maybe someone on this forum will take time to explain.
  
  . . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .
- RE: Try this . . . - tlea 19:49:43 07/10/24 (3)
  Okay, I think I (and others) may have misunderstood. From your initial post I understood you to say that the volume when connected to the B&K was very low compared to the volume of the HK alone.
  
  You wrote: "I get sound out of the speakers but at a non-amplified volume. . ." I took this to mean that the sound level was at a whisper regardless of the volume control on the preamp. But maybe I misunderstood.
  
  Maybe you can clarify: when using the B&K amp, if you turn up the volume knob on the HK preamp, does the volume get louder?
  
  Klipsch speakers tend to be very efficient. You should not have to turn the volume knob far to get plenty of volume with either the HK or the B&K.
  
  . . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .
  - RE: Try this . . . - Krav Maga 23:13:15 07/10/24 (2)
    "Okay, I think I (and others) may have misunderstood. From your initial post I understood you to say that the volume when connected to the B&K was very low compared to the volume of the HK alone.
    
    You wrote: "I get sound out of the speakers but at a non-amplified volume. . ." I took this to mean that the sound level was at a whisper regardless of the volume control on the preamp. But maybe I misunderstood."
    
    I interpreted the OP the same way. It may be that there is a gain mismatch between the preamp output and the amp input resulting in the power amp, even though more powerful, not being able to play as loud as the HK receiver alone.
    
    "Political correctness is America's newest form of intolerance, and it is especially pernicious because it comes disguised as tolerance."
    
    - George Carlin
    - RE: Try this . . . - tlea 06:28:29 07/11/24 (1)
      I suppose it's possible but seems unlikely. I glanced at the specs.
      
      The B&K amp has a gain of 28v, which is textbook typical. Input sensitivity is 1.4v with input impedance of 33.2 kOhms. Nothing outrageous.
      
      The HK doesn't state gain values for the amp and preamp sections, not surprising for a receiver. But any competently-designed SS amplifier is going to have a gain value in that range. Maybe you'd have to turn the volume knob a bit more (or less) but not dramatically.
      
      This is a lot of speculation. The next step would be to try the power amp with a different preamp. Or get it on the bench and do some measuring.
      
      . . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .
      - RE: Try this . . . - Tre' 12:02:47 07/15/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Try this . . . posted by tlea on July 11, 2024 at 06:28:29
        
        "The next step would be to try the power amp with a different preamp."
        
        I thought he said he did? He used his phone as a source.
        
        "I did hook my phone to the amp from the 3.5mm on the phone via 2 rca to the input of amp and the volume level out of the speakers is EXTREMELY louder than being connected to the HK"
        
        Tre'
        Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
        "Still Working the Problem"

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