AudioQuest PreAmp-Jumper

The AudioQuest PreAmp-Jumper is a pair of short RCA bridges with a solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ conductor that replaces the factory sheet-metal straps between Pre-Out and Main-In in an integrated amplifier. Each bridge measures roughly 13 centimeters and has gold-plated RCA connectors at both ends.

Hardly any component is so reliably overlooked – probably because most owners have never consciously looked at it.

What Pre-Out and Main-In actually are

An integrated amplifier internally consists of two devices: the preamp, which selects sources and controls the volume, and the power amp, which turns that into power for the speakers. Many manufacturers bring both sections out to the back panel – Pre-Out is the preamp's output, Main-In the power amp's input. That lets you insert a separate power amp or an external sound processor between them later. As long as you don't do that, the connection needs to stay closed, and two small metal straps come included from the factory for exactly that.

Why these straps get in the way

The entire music signal between preamp and power amp passes through them – at a low-level point where any interference gets amplified along with the signal later on. A stamped piece of sheet metal is the cheapest conceivable component for this. The PreAmp-Jumper puts a solid, direction-controlled PSC+ conductor with polyethylene air-tube insulation and gold-plated contacts in that exact same spot.

Who is the PreAmp-Jumper for – and who isn't it for?

For any integrated amplifier or receiver with separate Pre-Out/Main-In sockets on the back panel. Honestly: if that separation is missing, there's simply nothing to replace – and on some devices the bridge sits internally, in which case it stays where it is. A look at the back panel or the manual clarifies this in a minute, and we're happy to take a look with you.

Our verdict

No modification, no tools, no warranty risk – just pull off two straps and plug in two proper conductors. The effect is fine-tuning, not a new device, and it's more noticeable on high-resolution systems than on compact ones. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we'll tell you beforehand whether your amplifier is even built for this.

Technical data

• Type: preamp bridge for Pre-Out/Main-In
• Conductor: solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+)
• Insulation: polyethylene air-tube
• Connection type: RCA, plug to plug
• Connector coating: gold-plated
• Length per bridge: roughly 13 cm (5 inches)
• Installation: plug-in, no soldering, no opening the device
• Prerequisite: amplifier with separate Pre-Out and Main-In sockets
• Included: 2 bridges (for the left and right channel)

Frequently asked questions

How do I tell if my amplifier has Pre-Out and Main-In?

Look at the back panel: two pairs of RCA sockets next to each other, labeled Pre-Out and Main-In and connected by small U-shaped metal straps – that's the spot you're looking for. If you don't find any such straps, the connection is resolved internally and the jumper won't do anything for you.

Why are there two bridges in the set?

Because stereo has two channels. One bridge goes to the left channel, one to the right. That's all you need for a classic integrated amplifier. With multi-channel receivers that have Pre-Out for every channel, the requirement rises according to the number of bridged paths.

Do I lose my amplifier's warranty by doing this?

No. You don't open anything or modify the device – you're just swapping out an accessory part that's accessible from outside. Keep the original straps anyway: on a later resale, they're part of the included scope, and for a service case, you'll want the device in its as-delivered state.

Why get the PreAmp-Jumper from HD Zürisee?

Because we check first whether your model even offers that separation, instead of just shipping it out. We know details like this from daily work on customer systems. You can reach us at 044 680 22 00, via WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) and at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Obvious companions: integrated amplifiers with Pre-Out, matching RCA cables, and the rest of the AudioQuest range.