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How to power on a preamp automatically

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vddobrev

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I have a question about powering on a pre-amplifier automatically, specifically two models:

1. Anthem STR preamp (for myself)
2. Classé Delta preamp (this is for a friend of mine)

Both do not have trigger in, but I would like to somehow power them on when external device starts playing, e.g. a Bluesound Node streamer.

Both have IR in, can it be used somehow?

Any experience with these devices is appreciated.
 
Yes, Harmony, at least the older ones will work like charm and fire up all the components and settings with a one button push. Older Harmonys are no longer supported so the can not be programmed, newer ones can but I don't trust long term programming. It could go down next week or next year.

You need a good universal IR remote that runs macros. There are some new high end univerals out there, they would do exactly what you need. One button touch to do what you need, the macro option let's you send a string of commands with one push. Thus if it needs to change sound fields, inputs, turn on a set of devices it's one button.

This would be one but I have never tried one, my Harmonys are good till a major change.


Or this one, much much cheaper, has macros, only does Ir. Not sure it runs more than one macro (you need at least 2) but worth looking into and asking a forum that has owners of the remote. It would save you about $150 over the first one

 
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In order for the pre-amp to be triggered on when the streamer starts playing, it will have to simultaneously emit a signal that the pre-amp or a third-party device can use. Seems pretty unlikely such a streamer exists, but if it does, finding it will be your first step.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
 
Thank you @Laika2 and @Wayne A. Pflughaupt for replying, much appreciated.
My friend with the Classe Delta Pre is trying to avoid smart remotes.
As for the signal that the streamer must emit to power the pre - the Blusound Node is already having a 12V DC trigger out, but the Classe Delta Pre does not have a trigger in.
So, my friend with the Classe Delta will most likely get something else.
We looked at an upgrade HDMI module for the Classe, which can at least solve the problem with audio from TV. But it turned out it will not support CEC commands over the HDMI, like power on/off - only volume control once it is powered.
So my fiend will be returning the Classe Delta Pre, and get something else.

As for me, with the Anthem STR... I will be powering it on by remote control only... oh well, this is how it is.
 
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I understand, though if streamer and pre have IR control you just remove the 12v trigger cable and the macro will turn both on (if both can receive IR commands.)
That said I understand. I run 12v triggers to things I always want on at startup. Mainly 11 300 watt monoblocks and a duel driver 15 inch sub.
I avoid CEC as it caused issues, wrong input, whatever. I turned it off on all devices,
I am now running 24 components of a Harmony by tricking it a bit. All a 1 or 2 button start to any component, including soundfield, choice of speakers, basically any combo of buttons you push to start listening,
That said it's the way I have always done it, CEC was a train wreck early on.
Now I hear it's OK. What you are doing makes total sense, just 2 different ways to get there (if both have a IR receiver.

Good luck buddy, sounds like you have a good solution

And yea, sometimes it is what it is. For years my one Harmony took the place of 25 remote, I only needed one remote for everything. Then I bought a Shield which is bluetooth where my old harmony is only IR so much of the time I need 2 use two remotes, no big deal, better than 26 remotes,

From what I have read is CEC now works well unless there are many components, for me, it would not work right, likely too many HDMI switcher.
 
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vddobrev said:
I have a question about powering on a pre-amplifier automatically, specifically two models:

1. Anthem STR preamp (for myself)
2. Classé Delta preamp (this is for a friend of mine)

Both do not have trigger in, but I would like to somehow power them on when external device starts playing, e.g. a Bluesound Node streamer.

Both have IR in, can it be used somehow?

Any experience with these devices is appreciated.
Click to expand...
There are smart outlets strips where one outlet is always active. If it senses current through that outlet it then allows current to flow to the other outlets.
Here is one:
 
Add: there are power outlets that work similarly when triggered by a DC current. For example, a projector is turned on and a DC signal triggers the outlet to turn on.
They are used for projectors to trigger the screen to come down when the projector is on. Where projector turns off, the power to the screen is turned off and the screen detracts. Stewart Screens makes models for their screens.
 
@Laika2 I did not have a good experience with my Harmony remote, it never worked 100%... sometimes it did, most of the times it did not... and then the software support went away. It sits now in my garage....

@Nicoff - thanks for replying.

It turns out there is another problem with the Classe Delta Pre - the iOS App is not available to download in Bulgaria Apple App Store. We wrote to Classe about it, and awaiting reply. Not prepared to change App Store country...
 
vddobrev said:
@Laika2 I did not have a good experience with my Harmony remote, it never worked 100%... sometimes it did, most of the times it did not... and then the software support went away. It sits now in my garage....

@Nicoff - thanks for replying.

It turns out there is another problem with the Classe Delta Pre - the iOS App is not available to download in Bulgaria Apple App Store. We wrote to Classe about it, and awaiting reply. Not prepared to change App Store country...
Click to expand...
There is a learning curve then it becomes easy but all cec must be tuned off or it does strange things but.... Half the remotes are no longer supported, the database is dead for those but more importantly... You hate them, life's to short, the new universals are even harder to program.

We all have stuff we tried and hate and avoid like the plague. Sounds like you found a solid solution that will work the way you want, that's all that matters.
 
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