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Post by board on Sept 12, 2016 17:36:29 GMT
I am considering trying out a set of Mackie or Yamaha active monitors, and if I like them, I would replace my passive hi-fi speakers with one of those options. But these monitors are active. Is it possible to use active monitors passively and plug them into my power amp (I have separate power and pre-amp in my stereo system)? I asked at the shop that sells the Yamaha ones and they said no. What do you think? I like my amp very much, and if I'm going to switch to the active monitors I would have to buy a mixer or something to plug in the monitors and then sell my amp, so using the monitors passively would be a bit easier.
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Post by rock on Sept 12, 2016 18:32:11 GMT
The shop is right. It's a bad idea. Active monitors have amp circuits matched to the drivers. Just run them as actives. You can use your preamp to run a line signal to them.
Cheers, Rock
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Post by arnyk on Sept 14, 2016 13:08:30 GMT
I am considering trying out a set of Mackie or Yamaha active monitors, and if I like them, I would replace my passive hi-fi speakers with one of those options. But these monitors are active. Is it possible to use active monitors passively and plug them into my power amp (I have separate power and pre-amp in my stereo system)? I asked at the shop that sells the Yamaha ones and they said no. What do you think? I like my amp very much, and if I'm going to switch to the active monitors I would have to buy a mixer or something to plug in the monitors and then sell my amp, so using the monitors passively would be a bit easier. I use three JBL Pro LSR 308s with a Denon AVR that lacks line outputs. It just has speaker outputs. It's the centerpiece of my system, switching among a number of audio and video inputs, as well as network-based streaming sources, performing multichannel and bass management for my 2 subwoofers, etc. There is a wide selection of devices that make a loudspeaker output of a power amp suitable for attachment to the line level inputs of a passive speaker, such as shown here: www.crutchfield.com/S-LwSTNluZgrA/g_721/Line-Out-Converters.htmlThey have various levels of complexity, cost, and performance. Modern active speakers such as the Mackies, the Yamahas or my JBL Pros have special internal circuits that optimize the performance of the drivers, and trying to bypass them is not only difficult, it is counter-productive.
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Post by board on Sept 15, 2016 8:00:16 GMT
I am considering trying out a set of Mackie or Yamaha active monitors, and if I like them, I would replace my passive hi-fi speakers with one of those options. But these monitors are active. Is it possible to use active monitors passively and plug them into my power amp (I have separate power and pre-amp in my stereo system)? I asked at the shop that sells the Yamaha ones and they said no. What do you think? I like my amp very much, and if I'm going to switch to the active monitors I would have to buy a mixer or something to plug in the monitors and then sell my amp, so using the monitors passively would be a bit easier. I use three JBL Pro LSR 308s with a Denon AVR that lacks line outputs. It just has speaker outputs. It's the centerpiece of my system, switching among a number of audio and video inputs, as well as network-based streaming sources, performing multichannel and bass management for my 2 subwoofers, etc. There is a wide selection of devices that make a loudspeaker output of a power amp suitable for attachment to the line level inputs of a passive speaker, such as shown here: www.crutchfield.com/S-LwSTNluZgrA/g_721/Line-Out-Converters.htmlThey have various levels of complexity, cost, and performance. Modern active speakers such as the Mackies, the Yamahas or my JBL Pros have special internal circuits that optimize the performance of the drivers, and trying to bypass them is not only difficult, it is counter-productive. First, Rock, if I plug the monitors into my preamp, do I just run a cable into e.g. the aux or tape connection? The terminals on the speakers say "input" and not "output". It confuses me a bit. My preamp only has two phono connections (CD and aux), and the rest of the connections are DIN, so it would be either jack or XLR at the speaker end and DIN at the pre-amp end. Here's a picture of the connections on my pre-amp, sans the phono connections: Arnie, which of the converters you linked to would I need to buy? Should I run a cable from the speaker "input" into this converter, and then just a cable from the converter into e.g. aux or tape on my pre-amp? I know some people have used "tape out" on the same pre-amp as mine (same model) to connect a digital room correction, if that's any help. And both of you: Thanks for your help with this :-). I'm a novice with this stuff.
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Post by Hexspa on Sept 15, 2016 10:44:36 GMT
I am considering trying out a set of Mackie or Yamaha active monitors, and if I like them, I would replace my passive hi-fi speakers with one of those options. But these monitors are active. Is it possible to use active monitors passively and plug them into my power amp (I have separate power and pre-amp in my stereo system)? I asked at the shop that sells the Yamaha ones and they said no. What do you think? I like my amp very much, and if I'm going to switch to the active monitors I would have to buy a mixer or something to plug in the monitors and then sell my amp, so using the monitors passively would be a bit easier. I use three JBL Pro LSR 308s with a Denon AVR that lacks line outputs. It just has speaker outputs. It's the centerpiece of my system, switching among a number of audio and video inputs, as well as network-based streaming sources, performing multichannel and bass management for my 2 subwoofers, etc. There is a wide selection of devices that make a loudspeaker output of a power amp suitable for attachment to the line level inputs of a passive speaker, such as shown here: www.crutchfield.com/S-LwSTNluZgrA/g_721/Line-Out-Converters.htmlThey have various levels of complexity, cost, and performance. Modern active speakers such as the Mackies, the Yamahas or my JBL Pros have special internal circuits that optimize the performance of the drivers, and trying to bypass them is not only difficult, it is counter-productive. Hey arnyk. Can you provide a link which covers the use of multiple subs regarding their effectiveness in balancing modal response and their relevant placement? Thanks, -m
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Post by rock on Sept 15, 2016 11:33:44 GMT
For powered monitors, you want an OUTPUT not and input. Your preamp connections are not what I'm used to seeing so I don't know if you have cables to go from those 5 pin DIN jacks. Without knowledge of your preamp, I can only guess but it looks like the center diagram "tape av aux1" is the connector type you should choose. You wire you monitors to the output pins on the right side of the connector with the "-ve" as it is obviously the common, neutral, cold, signal ground or what ever you want to call it. I don't know what your signal levels are or how your signal flow or switching works so if you don't know either, do you have the manual or schematic? Can you contact the manufacturer? Which BTW who makes that?
Cheers, Rock
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Post by arnyk on Sept 15, 2016 13:55:07 GMT
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Post by Hexspa on Sept 16, 2016 4:20:04 GMT
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Post by board on Sept 16, 2016 14:35:16 GMT
For powered monitors, you want an OUTPUT not and input. Your preamp connections are not what I'm used to seeing so I don't know if you have cables to go from those 5 pin DIN jacks. Without knowledge of your preamp, I can only guess but it looks like the center diagram "tape av aux1" is the connector type you should choose. You wire you monitors to the output pins on the right side of the connector with the "-ve" as it is obviously the common, neutral, cold, signal ground or what ever you want to call it. I don't know what your signal levels are or how your signal flow or switching works so if you don't know either, do you have the manual or schematic? Can you contact the manufacturer? Which BTW who makes that? Cheers, Rock My pre-amp is from the British company Naim. It's the model NAC 202. I don't have a schematic and couldn't find one online. I assume you mean how the insides are constructed. But maybe I can ask about how to connect active monitors on the company's website forum. If it's any help here's a diagram of the connections on the pre-amp: www.creative-audio.co.uk/PRODUCTIMAGES/NAI_NAC202_2_BG.jpg Here's the back of one of the active monitors I was considering, which, as you can see, says "input": image.4sound.com/m/140937/Yamaha-HS8-Black-1.jpgLet's hope Arney has something to add as well :-).
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Post by rock on Sept 16, 2016 19:37:34 GMT
It's like this: gazoutas go to gazintas. That's technical stuff:) . In english, outputs send signals going OUT. Inputs receive signals coming IN. It's just that simple.
If you have the operating manual, it should tell you how to select your signal to one of the outputs. OR maybe the preamp output signal is present at all the outputs all the time IDK, FTFM. (That's technical too: )
Cheers, Rock
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Post by board on Sept 16, 2016 21:33:35 GMT
I'm still a bit confused: If I just run a cable from the output of the active monitors into the AUX input on the pre-amp, as if it was a CD player, then if I select "AUX" as the source, then I would be listening to the speakers "play" and not the actual CD player which is in a different input on my pre-amp. Isn't that so?
Let's see what Arny says :-).
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Post by rock on Sept 16, 2016 21:50:51 GMT
Yes, I agree, you are confused. You have it backwards. The monitors have an audio ELECTRONIC INPUT (just look at the picture you sent!). The output of the monitor is Acoustic SOUND! There is no electronic output (Some pro stage units do have a pass thru but I don't want to confuse you more so forget I said this.)
Your preamp has an audio electronic OUTPUT which connects to the INPUT of your monitor. It's really simple. Get a sheet of paper and draw a sketch, your pre amp on the left side, your speaker on the right side. (lets just draw one channel, the other one is the same). Now draw a line between the two boxes. Put an arrow head on the line pointing to the speaker. That's how it works!
If you can't get your head around this, please call the manufacture and ask them how to connect to powered monitors, it looks like you'll need special cables and I think you need either factory made cables or a qualified technician to make them for you.
Cheers, Rock
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Post by arnyk on Sept 17, 2016 0:11:13 GMT
I'm still a bit confused: If I just run a cable from the output of the active monitors into the AUX input on the pre-amp, as if it was a CD player, then if I select "AUX" as the source, then I would be listening to the speakers "play" and not the actual CD player which is in a different input on my pre-amp. Isn't that so? Let's see what Arny says :-). The Naim NAC 202 is a very unique piece of gear. It most resembles a preamp but most preamps have their own power supplies. The NAC must obtain its power from a NAIM power supply module or other Naim component with a power supply output. Naim NAC 202 connections NAC 202 documentationEqually unusual, the line outputs (L+R) of the NAC 202 are on a 4 pin DIN connector. There are third party cables that have the 4 pin DIN connector on one end, and a pair of RCA plugs on the other: Naim 4 pin DIN output to RCA cable 2-x-phono-rca-plugs-naim-style-4-pin-din-premiere-cable-21.html#SID=4There are many sources of XLR-RCA cable adapters to connect the cable above to the XLR inputs of the active speakers. xlr male rca female adaptor
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Post by rock on Sept 17, 2016 13:07:52 GMT
Good find Arny,
But if you look at the photo of the DIN jacks, they look like 5 pin DIN not 4 pin. Do you think the 4 Pin DIN cables will work anyway?
Cheers, Rock
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Post by arnyk on Sept 17, 2016 13:57:40 GMT
Good find Arny, But if you look at the photo of the DIN jacks, they look like 5 pin DIN not 4 pin. Do you think the 4 Pin DIN cables will work anyway? Cheers, Rock I don't think you are looking at the right jack. Look at this picture of the back panel of a NAC 202: NAC 202There are 4 jacks in an area called "Output and PSU" Other Naim doc (such as the Connection Guide) shows that the actual audio output jack is thelower right hand jack marked "Standard". I see 4 pins. The product that is sold for this purpose has 4 pins. Seems like the right one! ;-)
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