Connecting NAD C700 to an integrated amp.

[Rama]

I want to use the streaming facility of the NAD C700 (going to buy) to sometime play my Willsenton R8 Tube amp without reconnecting any audio or speaker cables.
The NAD has its own B&W bookshelf speakers and the Willsenton its floor standing Klipsch speakers. I can connect the NAD pre-out (RCA L&R) to the Willsenton Pre-in. Question: With both NAD and Willsenton switched on will music be heard from the NAD's speakers as well ? I don't want that as I want to listen to the Willsenton's speakers only.. How do I control the volume on the Willsenton's speakers? BY the NAD's Volume control?
Any feedback will be appreciated.

 

[Gray]

I can connect the NAD pre-out (RCA L&R) to the Willsenton Pre-in.

Presumably you mean the Willsenton's power amp in.

Question: With both NAD and Willsenton switched on will music be heard from the NAD's speakers as well ?

Yes - unless there's a way to mute the NAD's speakers and use it in pre-amp only mode (the user manual would say).

And with NAD (variable) pre-amp out to Willsenton power amp in, volume would be controlled by the NAD.

If the NAD has got a fixed output mode (again the user guide will advise) then it could be fed into a line input on the Willsenton, as opposed to its power amp in.
That way, the tube amp would be doing your volume controlling.

(Best to avoid having both volume controls in the chain).

 

[Rama]

Presumably you mean the Willsenton's power amp in.

Yes. I reads PRE-IN on the RCA socket in the Willsenton. It also has 2 Aux inputs. See attached photo

 

[Gray]

Yes. I reads PRE-IN on the RCA socket in the Willsenton. It also has 2 Aux inputs. See attached photo

I see, they've called it a pre in 👍
Well, it is the in from a pre out ✅

(Other amps have such an input labelled as 'power' in).

 

[nads]

Buy a separate streamer. You are not going to get what you want to happen.

 

[Fandango Andy]

I want to use the streaming facility of the NAD C700 (going to buy) to sometime play my Willsenton R8 Tube amp without reconnecting any audio or speaker cables.
The NAD has its own B&W bookshelf speakers and the Willsenton its floor standing Klipsch speakers. I can connect the NAD pre-out (RCA L&R) to the Willsenton Pre-in. Question: With both NAD and Willsenton switched on will music be heard from the NAD's speakers as well ? I don't want that as I want to listen to the Willsenton's speakers only.. How do I control the volume on the Willsenton's speakers? BY the NAD's Volume control?
Any feedback will be appreciated.

I just looked at the manual for your NAD. It says there is Pre out to use the amp as a pre-amp.

You just need to connect it by using an RCA cable from the pre out into the power amp. It will probably say something line main in.

In theory the NAD should have a setting to use as a pre amp. On an older amp it would have been a switch. On a modern one its probably in an on screen menu or on the remote.

 

[Gray]

You just need to connect it by using an RCA cable from the pre out into the power amp. It will probably say something line main in.

You must've missed his post #3 Andy, where he says they've actually called it 'Pre in'.

 

[Fandango Andy]

You must've missed his post #3 Andy, where he says they've actually called it 'Pre in'.

Yep, I missed that. Important thing, what he plans to do looks achievable!

 

[Rama]

Thanks to Gray, Andy and others for your advise and comments.
I think I will buy the NAD C700 and try it out. Connect the NAD pre out to Willsenton Pre in.
When I play the Wilsenton if there is still music coming from the Speakers connected to NAD, then I will just disconnect the banana plugs to the NAD's speakers.

Will there be any damage to the NAD c700. Decades ago, I (young and careless) blew a solid state amp when I switched on the power to the amp with no speakers connected. I vaguely remember reading recently that modern amps are safe to switch on without speakers. Is that so?

 

[Gray]

...if there is still music coming from the Speakers connected to NAD, then I will just disconnect the banana plugs to the NAD's speakers.

I wouldn't.
Before purchase, one way or another, I would be determining whether or not the NAD could be used in pre-amp only mode, with its speakers muted.

 

[Fandango Andy]

I wouldn't.
Before purchase, one way or another, I would be determining whether or not the NAD could be used in pre-amp only mode, with its speakers muted.

I agree, butbit it looks positive. The manual says it can be used as a pre-amp. It doesn't explicitly say this mutes the speakers, but it wouldn't be mutch of a pre if it was trying to drive its own speakers. Should be easy to confirm with dealer or manufacturer.