Hafler 100 pre-amp confusion

Audio Components
1

My Denon receiver recently died (connected via pre-out to Hafler 500 amplifier).
So I searched for a pre-amp replacement (tuner not needed).

That’s when the confusion begins… I noticed many pre-amps do not have “pre-out” outputs- just “Line out” or some other letter designations I did do not understand.

I came across the Hafler 100 pre-amp for a decent price and just assumed- even though it has no “pre-out” - that it would pair with the Hafler 500 amp. Before it arrived I began to have an inkling this might be a mistake…

After much searching and reading- I found that pre-amps with only “Line out” must connect to amps with volume controls. But this confuses the heck out of me- the Hafler 100 pre-amp has volume and tone controls on it???
I found that there is a huge voltage difference between pre-outs and line outs and that line outs are pre-volume and preout is after volume controls.
I read a post that said a “Line out” connected to an amp w/o volume control would be a full blast output to speakers???

So…I’m afraid to hook it up for now (I bought another NAD pre-amp with “pre-out”)
What am I missing about these pre-amps with and without “pre-outs” and what can I safely use with this Hafler 100?

I appreciate your help if you can straighten me out?

Confused newbie,
JIm

2

The terminology can be confusing.

Any preamp with a volume control will do the job for your application.

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3

Use the ‘Line’ Left and Right terminals in the rear panel far right for preamp outputs

Hafler100
Hafler100960×960 287 KB

to connect to the Left and Right input terminals on your Hafler 500 amp.

hafler500
hafler500960×720 212 KB

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4

It’s just lingo. The primary purpose of a line stage preamp is to accept all your inputs and be the system volume control.
And the words “line stage” are used to indicate a preamp that has no phono stage, (that is an input from a turntable).
Finally, if your power amp would have a volume control, an external preamp wouldn’t be necessary.

5

Great job tracking down the pictures!

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6

Thank-you all for the info!

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7

Let us know when you get it sorted.

And hang around.

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