[[email protected]]

I will be running live level audio from a PC soundcard (ESI Juli@) to
amplifiers in two other rooms. The souncard provides 2 channel balanced
output or unbalanced output. Using balanced output seems a good idea
for cable runs of 25-30' and 35-45' feet. I don't have any preamps
that accept balanced inputs or produce balanced outputs. Here is what
I'm looking for:

1. A high quality minimal preamp with one balanced input, a volume
control and either balanced or unbalanced output. A passive unit would
be OK if there are no impedence or level problems. This preamp would
be feeding a Bryston electronic crossover. Sound quality is important
here.

2. A minimal preamp with one balanced input, a volume control and an
unbalanced output or both. (RCA plug would be easiest.) A passive unit
would be OK if there are no impedence or level problems. Sound quality
is less important since this system is mostly for dinner music.

3. A splitter / driver that takes one balanced input and produces two
balanced outputs. I don't know whether the soundcard could drive the
long cables and the input circuits at the other end successfully. The
relevant specs for the soundcard are

* Balanced Part
1) Connector Type: 1/4" female TRS-type, balanced or unbalanced(line
out 1 and 2)
2) Peak level : +20dBu @ 0dBFS (+4dBu nominal)
3) Impedance : 100 ohms minimum
4) Attenuation Control : -63dB ~ 0dB (0.5dB step size)

If the soundcard can drive the cablesand input circuits, I just need a
a splitter.

I expect to need device 1 first (and 3 if I need the line driver
function.) I could see starting with a preamp with a good quality pot
and later replacing it with something that uses a stepped attenuator or
transformer based volume control. I would then use use the otriginal
preamp as device 2.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for devices that provide good sound

Bill

[Kurt Albershardt]

wrote:
I will be running live level audio from a PC soundcard (ESI Juli@) to
amplifiers in two other rooms. The souncard provides 2 channel balanced
output or unbalanced output. Using balanced output seems a good idea
for cable runs of 25-30' and 35-45' feet. I don't have any preamps
that accept balanced inputs or produce balanced outputs. Here is what
I'm looking for:

1. A high quality minimal preamp with one balanced input, a volume
control and either balanced or unbalanced output. A passive unit would
be OK if there are no impedance or level problems. This preamp would
be feeding a Bryston electronic crossover. Sound quality is important
here.

Passive 'preamps' and passive splits don't really belong together. Long
cable runs also don't work here.


2. A minimal preamp with one balanced input, a volume control and an
unbalanced output or both. (RCA plug would be easiest.) A passive unit
would be OK if there are no impedance or level problems. Sound quality
is less important since this system is mostly for dinner music.

An old integrated amp or an active speaker with an input level control?
What are the room dimensions and occupancy?


3. A splitter / driver that takes one balanced input and produces two
balanced outputs. I don't know whether the soundcard could drive the
long cables and the input circuits at the other end successfully.

This is called a distribution amp.

[[email protected]]

Thanks, Kurt.

I've incporporated your comments in my thinking and with rethink
things.

Bill