Pre Out & Main In Explained: Amplifier Connections, Usage, and Benefits in Audio Systems

Question

Hello, I noticed that many amplifiers have Main in and Pre Out inputs/outputs, if someone could explain what they are for and how they can be used. I've seen that many amplifiers have Main in connected with Pre out, why? Regards :)

irekr · Answer

This is - most often - the place to connect an external graphic equalizer.
It remains to be determined whether this "bridge" is before or after the master volume control. It should be before regulation, but I've encountered other solutions ...

MicqAudio · Answer

Could you explain the volume control?

irekr · Answer

The volume control is nothing more than the "VOLUME" knob on the amplifier. You probably guessed that it is used to adjust the volume of what comes out of the speakers.

The standard amplifier layout is as follows:
Signal source - preamplifier with optional characteristic correction - PRE OUT/MAIN IN socket - gain adjustment knob - power amplifier - loudspeakers.
Sometimes the gain control is placed in the preamplifier and it is not the best solution.
The check is simple: if you connect a CD player or other signal source to the MAIN IN input and use the "volume" knob to adjust the volume of what is in the speakers, then it's good ...

MicqAudio · Answer

Oh, that's more or less I get it, I don't have a chinch cable to connect the CD now. And returning to the above, is this bridge before or after the main volume control. It should be before the adjustment. So what?

irekr · Answer

It doesn't bother me much, the noise is louder when turned on with the amplification closed.

daniel22opole · Answer

Pre out is also used to connect an additional power amplifier (amplifier)

intenso · Answer

Dear topic author.
The Pre Out output in the amplifier is used to connect an active sub, output to the second power amplifier or an additional audio set.

Main In is used to connect an internal audio source, but only if such a source has a built-in preamplifier.
God forbid to connect anything with a constant sound volume, e.g. CD player, Blu-ray player, network player, game consoles, etc.
By connecting to the Main In and switching the amplifier to the Main In input, we switch the amplifier to the power amplifier mode and bypass the preamplifier in the amplifier, in the power amplifier mode our amplifier is driven to the maximum.
The Main In function is used mostly in home theater systems, if you have a home theater amp with a Pre Out output for the front speakers, connect it to the Main In input of the amplifier.
This combination is used when we want to have a separate stereo and a separate cinema.
With this combination of amp and amplifier, we do not have to rewrite our speakers when we want to watch a movie or listen to music only on a stereo set.

x0007 · Answer

yay I have a question how to tell if a given preout is safe or is it corrected and can be connected to the amplifier? I have an Onkyo RZ800 receiver and an amplifier with the Onkyo 9755 power amplifier function, I would like to connect it on the PRE-OUT - MAIN IN principle

intenso · Answer

But what to say here? PRE OUT to PRE OUT. Feel free to combine your blocks.

x0007 · Answer

After the last connection, the fuse in the amplifier burned out .... At the moment of switching to main in mode, there was a bang from the speakers and the amplifier went into standby mode Got a theory for that? Does the order in which devices are turned on matter?

intenso · Answer

There is no way that something will burn when connecting PRE to Main In. Unless one of the devices was damaged and that's about it. What did you connect to make this happen?

x0007 · Answer

Amp Amplifier I don't know how much it makes sense, but the service just told me that the preout output is before adjustment, so it gave all the power to the tip. Of course, the knob in the amp was at 20% power.

intenso · Answer

What models did you combine, the ones above?
The PRE output is regulated, if it wasn't, it wouldn't be PRE.
As the ampli was barely driven, I do not see the fault of the receiver.
Something just went wrong, that's all.

x0007 · Answer

Does the order in which devices are turned on matter? In the sense of first the receiver, then the amplifier + switching to main in? And another question, since the amplifier plays in the amplifier mode, can the main in mode be damaged? if it is possible?

intenso · Answer

The first source or amp and the power amp are always turned on
.How do you turn off the tip first, then the source.

The main in mode is the power amplifier mode, then in the amplifier we pass in front of the amplifier.
In the Main in mode, the amplifier makes ampli before the amplifier.

When the amplifier plays in normal mode, it is in main in also.
The only difference here is which pre-amplifier we use.

what devices did you connect before that such miracles resulted?

x0007 · Answer

The above Onkyo RZ800 + Onkyo 9755

intenso · Answer

I can't believe that after connecting to the PRE OUT for the fronts in the amp and to the Main In in the amp, something like this could have happened.

x0007 · Answer

The only thing I did wrong was to turn on the amplifier first, then switched it to main in and finally the receiver, so maybe that's why it happened.

intenso · Answer

That's possible. I turn it on and everything is fine. Although your amp is class D and maybe that's why it happened.

Exmind · Answer

in general, what is an amplifier with such power that consumes only 125W, which is not enough no wonder it burned down

x0007 · Answer

So generally before you speak, listen to something or anything playing

Exmind · Answer

Well, you will definitely get a lot out of this equipment, the name Onkyo itself says a lot

x0007 · Answer

Where did I claim that Onkyo is the best? I know what shelf it is and what price range it is. I don't pigeonhole the equipment because of the brand, and even more so I don't speak if I haven't listened to something.

.:Gregorius:. · Answer

Hello, and if we do not connect anything to pre out and main in, then whether they must be connected Jumpers or not and what does it matter?

Exmind · Answer

If you don't connect anything to Pre Out or Main IN, nothing will happen.
They don't have to be connected with any jumpers.

[Pre Out] is otherwise like ---- output ---- from the preamplifier to power the next block, preferably a two-channel power amplifier with a powerful transformer.
it is a system for extending the Home Cinema with two more channels: Boost + Power Amplifier sound connection format
Bi-amping :)

[Main IN] is --- input --- in the amplifier, power amplifiers to which you lead the interconnect from the [Pre Out] output of the receiver or other device, e.g. amplifier power :)

I'm attaching a few pics

intenso · Answer

Not completely.
For example, amplifiers still have pre out and main in outputs, for the amplifier to work as a typical Integra, jumpers must be used.
As the amplifier is to work as a power amplifier in the cinema, we pull out the jumpers and put the cinch that goes from the amp.
If you want to listen to stereo, you have to pull out the cinch and put in jumpers, for me it's total nonsense.
The best solution, as it always is, is a physical button where, when pressed, the amplifier is switched to tip mode.
You don't have to rewire something every time.

Exmind · Answer

that's right, but you know the amplifier to be a power amplifier, it's a total szjas, which is not enough.
I tested four amplifiers working as a power amplifier, which is laughable for me.
I definitely recommend buying a two or more channel power amplifier for such tasks.
No amplifier can match the ending, unless the Denon PMA 2020, but for this money it is better to buy a powerful receiver.

intenso · Answer

Do not exaggerate, if someone wants to have a cinema and stereo at the same time, buy a stereo amplifier with Main In or Power Amp direct.
Such a 1520 Ae can easily play as a power amplifier in the cinema.
Such a Pioneer A 30 is an average amplifier and has such a possibility, if we connect the fronts to such a Pioneer and the rest of the speakers under the amplifier, the amp gets a breath

You write about the power amplifier, usually everyone wants to have two systems on one set of columns, when you buy an additional amplifier, you need to buy one that is dedicated to stereo, and if you want a decent stereo, you will not play music from the receiver, you need such a power amplifier preamplifier, and costs increase.

Also, do not cross out the amplifiers, the cheaper ones.

What powerful amplifier are you talking about?

Exmind · Answer

I'm not deleting cheaper amplifiers at all, we agree that with everything you write, everyone has different approaches, it all depends on our funds.
Well, I also have my home cinema connected in a similar way and the amplifier also works as a power amplifier and processes 2 Dolby Atmos speakers located on the front speakers, introducing the signal from the Pioneer SC-LX59 Receiver. The fronts are, of course, powered with full steam from four channels in Bi-Amping .
I have a separate stereo for listening to music. As a preamplifier, I have an integrated stereo amplifier connected to the power amplifier, also in bi-amping +blu ray instead of cd

Pre Out & Main In Explained: Amplifier Connections, Usage, and Benefits in Audio Systems

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