Dubstepforum.com

Does a computer soundcard count as a preamp? I don't know whether to buy an integrated amp (pre+power amp) or just a power amp to use with my laptop to produce, I'm buying passive speakers so I need one or the other

test recordings wrote:Does a computer soundcard count as a preamp? I don't know whether to buy an integrated amp (pre+power amp) or just a power amp to use with my laptop to produce, I'm buying passive speakers so I need one or the other

You need a proper monitor amp. You laptops sound card cant even get close to pushing enough power for passive monitors.

I know, if you read what I wrote I asked if a laptop sound card makes a good preamp. I am asking about if I need an extra pre as well as a power amp.

Don't need a pre on the backside of your chain, just your interface into the power amp. Pres are for amping mic level signals to line level and adding flavour. Your interface should be sending out audio at line level so there's no need for preamplification. Usually you want your output chain to be as clean as possible so flavour's not something to be desired.

Cool. Just seen a good integrated one for about 150 quid, may buy it but I really only need a power amp.

Would you ever buy them online? I'm a bit unsure about second hand stuff

test recordings wrote:I know, if you read what I wrote I asked if a laptop sound card makes a good preamp. I am asking about if I need an extra pre as well as a power amp.

I apologize for misunderstanding.

I think an integrated one would be useful as another gain stage if you had something like a CD player that output constant volume. But since your source is an interface, you'll have full control of what's coming out.

I'd buy something like this online assuming I researched the particular model and it was on something like ebay. As long as the seller says everything works perfectly, you can hold him to that. It is a bit sketchy buying without hearing, but ebay and paypal will usually side with the buyer if anything is not as promised. I'd be more wary of selling gear on ebay than buying.

Ah cool. No-one where I live uses Ebay though, it's either Rakuten or Yahoo Auctions and I don't know the rules. I'd be confident about buying new stuff, but it's not as good quality as I can afford with older stuff...

I'mnot actually sure I've got a line out, what about the headphone socket? I'm pretty sure that's not going to sound good but I don't know

Oh I assumed you had a recording soundcard with XLR outs or RCA or something. Probably will sound rather greasy through the headphone out.

Damn, I might have to a usb a/d converter then. I'll check my manual but it's not written in English...

Schiit Modi for 100 bucks. Only has RCA out but if your amp takes that you're golden.

Found a lot of cheap, small units take USB in and RCA out. To be honest, the audio connections don't matter because I can make a suitable cable. Digital is more stringent, though.

Eventually I'll just build my own preamp to cover everything but in the meantime I'll have to spend the forty quid or whatever. There's a lot of DAC chips on the go it seems, though.

The Modi is actually dope though.

Yeah but if I can save 60 bucks I'll be happy. Turns out the FIIO DAC I was looking at doesn't take USB though, only optical or some other unusual connection that TVs and CD players use