In-wall amp and volume controller HELP

Ales27 · 29th October 2009, 03:47 PM

Hi,
I am a newbie and I need help. Let's start with the begining. I have my PC connect to an amplifier in my basement and and it is connect to in-wall speakers upstairs in my living room. The setup is ok except that I have to go downstairs to get the volume up or down and I would also like a little bit more power. So I had the idea to use one of those small TA2020 PCB amp as an in-wall amplifier and volume controller. I thought of cutting my speaker wire at one point and put the TA2020 board between my basement amp and my speakers and and putting it in the wall with only the potentiometer out trough a wall plate, just like a light dimmer. Does this makes sense. I saw some board having just one ground for the two input channels (like this one),

does this mean I will have to plug the two black wires from my basement amp to this ground and and one red wire to left and one to right.

Also I have to figure out how I will have it powered up with no apparent wire.

Please help me!

pacificblue · 29th October 2009, 06:03 PM

It would be better to skip the basement amp entirely or replace it with a preamplifier/buffer.

A common ground for both channels is normal. You can connect the wires the way you intende or you can even use only one of the black wires.

You can use a wall-wart or a laptop power supply upstairs for the TA2020. ~20W for each 8 Ohm speaker and ~30 W for each 4 Ohm speaker should do.

Ales27 · 29th October 2009, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm planning to replace the basement amp for a tube preamp and a USB DAC eventually (it's a step by step project...). For the power supply, do you think I should solder a connector to the board or just cut the power supply wire and solder them directly to the board. I also want to know, my speaker cables are pretty big and and the wire I will connect to the board's input will be tiny, is it a problem to solder big wire to tiny one.

Just to be sure I understand everything, could somebody make me a diagram of all the connection and solder I will have to do if I use this board:

I told you I am a newbie, but I really want to learn.

Drew Eckhardt · 29th October 2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacificblue

It would be better to skip the basement amp entirely or replace it with a preamplifier/buffer.

That would require pulling new shielded wire or a conversion to differential signaling.

29th October 2009, 03:47 PM	#1
Ales27 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009	In-wall amp and volume controller HELP Hi, I am a newbie and I need help. Let's start with the begining. I have my PC connect to an amplifier in my basement and and it is connect to in-wall speakers upstairs in my living room. The setup is ok except that I have to go downstairs to get the volume up or down and I would also like a little bit more power. So I had the idea to use one of those small TA2020 PCB amp as an in-wall amplifier and volume controller. I thought of cutting my speaker wire at one point and put the TA2020 board between my basement amp and my speakers and and putting it in the wall with only the potentiometer out trough a wall plate, just like a light dimmer. Does this makes sense. I saw some board having just one ground for the two input channels (like this one), does this mean I will have to plug the two black wires from my basement amp to this ground and and one red wire to left and one to right. Also I have to figure out how I will have it powered up with no apparent wire. Please help me!

29th October 2009, 06:03 PM	#2
pacificblue diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	It would be better to skip the basement amp entirely or replace it with a preamplifier/buffer. A common ground for both channels is normal. You can connect the wires the way you intende or you can even use only one of the black wires. You can use a wall-wart or a laptop power supply upstairs for the TA2020. ~20W for each 8 Ohm speaker and ~30 W for each 4 Ohm speaker should do. __________________ If you've always done it like that, then it's probably wrong. (Henry Ford)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Samsung 1602VFD For CDROM Controller & Remote Volume Controller	slowgay	Swap Meet	2	22nd November 2008 02:44 PM
need 5.1 Channel Audio Volume Controller	halod	Analog Line Level	2	5th March 2008 12:37 AM
RS 40-987 In Wall Traf. Volume Control as preamp attenuator	ultrachrome	Parts	8	7th February 2007 11:55 PM
Niles in-wall stereo volume control (L-pad)	orthoefer	Swap Meet	1	9th May 2006 12:39 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

29th October 2009, 06:39 PM	#3
Ales27 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009	Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm planning to replace the basement amp for a tube preamp and a USB DAC eventually (it's a step by step project...). For the power supply, do you think I should solder a connector to the board or just cut the power supply wire and solder them directly to the board. I also want to know, my speaker cables are pretty big and and the wire I will connect to the board's input will be tiny, is it a problem to solder big wire to tiny one. Just to be sure I understand everything, could somebody make me a diagram of all the connection and solder I will have to do if I use this board: I told you I am a newbie, but I really want to learn.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)