Connecting Ultra to Amp - I prefer to use amps AMP IN input, but not many have that.

[lecko]

At least for my use case i very much prefer using Ultra with amplifiers, that do have some kind of AMP IN input. The benefits:
1) Volume is controlled only by Ultra´s volume control
2) connect Ultra wth subwoofer (its LFE input)and use Ultra`s many SUB mgmt options, and speakers are relieved of playing low freq.
3) Sub is included into Room correction and speakers syncing
4) volume of subwoofer is matched with volume of main speakers

I tried also other scenarios, like connecting Ultra to AMP´s AUX IN input, and using on ULTRA FIX Volume,...but always something was missing.

I was lucky that my amp Advance Paris do has such input. I did a quick check of similar amps and am surprised to see that it is a rare feature among integrated amps. Advance Paris has it, many Marantz amps have it, Musical Fidelity M series has it ( MArked as HT). Denons, CAmbridge Audios, Arcams , Rotles I dont see it . I was watching just integrated amps.

How do many users that have AMPs without "AMP IN" inpits connect Ultra and then incorporate SUB control etc.?

 

[Alfred58]

Hi, my Ultra is connected to an Audiolab 6000A integrated amplifier which however is set to “power amp” mode and as such the pre-amp section is bypassed. The Ultra takes over the pre-amp function and thus control over master volume. Not many integrated amps can operate as power amp though, as you already stated. So I guess I am also lucky

 

[DoubleTap]

My integrated amplifier has it - it's called "Home Theater Bypass" - it's great but now I'm using this high end integrated as a basic power amp for nearfield listening and it's overkill...

 

[ads42]

Hi, my Ultra is connected to an Audiolab 6000A integrated amplifier which however is set to “power amp” mode and as such the pre-amp section is bypassed. The Ultra takes over the pre-amp function and thus control over master volume. Not many integrated amps can operate as power amp though, as you already stated. So I guess I am also lucky

Alfred, Have you set the output from the ultra to 2 Vrms or 1 Vrms ? I would like to use my 6000A as power Amp also.

 

[Alfred58]

Hi, the Ultra is set to 800 mV as the power amp section expects 720 mV according to the 6000A specs.
It works fine. I also installed a 12v trigger cable between the Ultra and the 6000A, so it powers on and off with the Ultra.

 

[ads42]

Thanks Alfred for your reply.
Isn't 800 too low ?
I have sent an email to Audiolab yesterday and here's their reply.

Thank you for your message and the interest in our Audiolab products !



Generally, you’ll “feed” a power amplifier with 2Vrms to 6vrms if its compatible, lower Vrms should be used for other type of electronics products like for example headphone amplifiers.



But to be completely honest, I never tried it in a 6000A so you should try and select the best to you ears !



Hope you’ll find this email helpful,

Best

I will try tonight if 2Vrms is ok.

 

[Mr Ee]

Thanks Alfred for your reply.
Isn't 800 too low ?
I have sent an email to Audiolab yesterday and here's their reply.


I will try tonight if 2Vrms is ok.

Generally, whatever gives you decent volume control and loudness.
e.g. if small amp volume changes give large actual volume changes and it's really loud way before the amp is anywhere near max volume then the input is too large.

 

[Alfred58]

Thanks Alfred for your reply.
Isn't 800 too low ?
I have sent an email to Audiolab yesterday and here's their reply.


I will try tonight if 2Vrms is ok.

OK. Please let me know your findings.

 

[Ronnie D]

Thanks Alfred for your reply.
Isn't 800 too low ?
I have sent an email to Audiolab yesterday and here's their reply.


I will try tonight if 2Vrms is ok.

I am not an expert but I don't think this information is correct.
I think the integrated part of your amp would be set up for 2vrms for the aux input. As you are running this amp as a power amp then 720 mV should be matched. I run a power amp with my ultra and it too is looking for 720mV . I have set my ultra to output 500mV as I think it's better to be under than over. You should still have plenty of power and volume

 

[slartibartfast]

Thanks Alfred for your reply.
Isn't 800 too low ?
I have sent an email to Audiolab yesterday and here's their reply.


I will try tonight if 2Vrms is ok.

My old 8000A had an input sensitivity of 150mV. I used a 10dB attenuator on the input. I am sure 800mV is fine.

 

[harkpabst]

Isn't 800 too low ?

If the input sensitivity is 720 mV, indeed, then anything above 800 mV output voltage is plain wrong.

Many people "feel" their amp to be "more powerful" if they have to turn the volume knob "just a little" to get a decent loudness. Unfortunately this is 100% fooling yourself. An input sensitivity of e.g. 720 mV means that the amp will provide its maximum power at that input voltage. Set the max. output voltage of the WiiM streamer any higher and you're just loosing granularity of volume control and potentially even fidelity.

Given an input sensitivity of e.g. 150 mV is plain sick, except when using an attenuator (which does nothing in the end but turn electrical power into heat to ensure compatibility).

 

[ads42]

Hi,
I have tested with 800 mv and it works fine the sound is loud enought. Previously I was at 70%, 800 mv and 100% is fine.
Best regards

 

[Alfred58]

I use the following settings.