Smsl SP200 THX AAA 888

Equipment / Electronics / Gear / Accessories Headphone Amps
132

You could do that just fine, but it will run it through the tube (could be good or bad depending on how you see it), and also you would have to max out the vali 2 because it has pre outs. You could either max out the volume on the thx and control it from the vali, or max out the volume on the vali and control volume from the thx

133

What if the tube amp was off?

Shane D

134

I doubt the Vali has passthrough when off. It could. Just seems unlikely. My current desk setup uses an Su8 DAC. I have balanced outs going to Loxjie P20. The RCA outs are split with one signal going to an Atom and the other to an OriGain. I use these RCA splitters:

iExcell 2 Pcs Blue Male to 2… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019ZQS4N4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

All three amps have their own volume control and as far as I can tell get line signals simultaneously. Since the 3 amps you mention all have volume control, I think the same arrangement will work for you too.

135

Yes, you can easily split the signal and alleviate messing around with a setup like that (unless you really wanted to add a bit of tube sound to the thx lol)

You could send an email to schiit asking about the powered off question, but I don’t think it would work

136

Apologies. Missed the part about y cable. But what’s wrong with the y cable? Is pretty quick and easy solution.

137

I would just prefer to have essentially a “continuous” cable, if possible, rather than splitting the signal. Right now the split cable is handy for comparing amps instantly.

Shane D

138

You could get a cheap switcher box with like 1 in and 3 out or something. Connecting amps together just increases the likelihood of a ground loop or signal degradation

139

So a pass through doesn’t work unless the amp is on?

Shane D

140

It’s a pre out, not a pass through, so that means it also runs it through the tube, so I would assume the tube needs to be on to function. You could send an email to schiit to confirm

141

I see. Yeah the pass through is the LCX, which is really not going to work. I guess just live with the Y-cable as is.

Shane D

142

That is actually what I have now, with the SMSL SU-8. I heard all this talk of pass throughs and I started wondering if that would clean up my set-up. Guess not.

Shane D

143

So ETA for the Monolith 887 got moved up to tomorrow. FFFFFFFFffffff
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=39359

144

Very interesting, I don’t think it’s a bad thing though lol

145

If 887 is available tomorrow, I’ll probably cancel my 789, then lick both amps (SP200) and decide which taste better. :yum:

3 Likes
146

The Monoprice THX 788 has a pre-out. I have use it myself as a pre-out. https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=304&cp_id=30405&cs_id=3040505&p_id=24459&seq=1&format=2

147

Is that something you have to set in software?

148

Yes. It is output mode in settings.

1 Like
149

ah, just tested it. It actually does work as a pre out with RCA inputs and digital inputs.

150

Well there you go @Marzipan, there’s your pre outs

151

are we talking the SP200 or the Mono 887?