Line out volume too low to drive power amp HD500X

[podmann]

Using ART SLA-1 130W/channel studio monitor amp for HD500X. With all volume controls on HD500X at maximum the input led on the ART don't even light. So I'm running the output into a Spirit Folio Notepad, mic channels with preamp on. That gets the gain to trigger the ART input LED and gets the full volume out of the amp. Maybe there is a mod for the HD500X to get the ouput to 1 volt. Otherwise, is there a good quality low noise stereo line preamp out there? I haven't been able to find any except for those in the small mixers. But it's awkward getting to the mixer controls in the rack. A rack mixer would make sense, but not when a Behringer 802 is $80 or so. Any ideas?

[Rewolf48]

1V RMS is a 0db signal - Pro level (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level)

 

HD500 1/4" outs can only do -10db signals - Consumer level (with the switch in the LINE setting)

 

The XLR outputs and 1/4" on Amp setting are significantly quieter.

 

 

Something like this claims to do what you want: https://proaudio.com/catalog/art-cleanbox-pro-2-channel-level-converter.asp

[podmann]

Thank you for the explanation! It would be elegant if the HD500X Studio/Direct setting could put out the "pro" level so an intermediate volume boost wouldn't be necessary to drive a power amp. So I wondered if someone had modded their output amp, or what device they're using to bring to "pro" line level. Like a rack mount stereo 1V preamp? I'm using a desktop mixer mounted to a board inside the rack; it works great but the knobs are hard to reach.

[podmann]

Awesome, I missed the link, seeing it now this might solve the problem, thank you very much!