Are higher end preamps worth the investment when you are only streaming Tidal & Spotify ?


Amp: Modwright 150SE

Speakers: Aerial Acoustics 7T

Streamer/DAC/ : NAD C658

With the goal of achieving higher fidelity, would a 10k -12k MSRP preamplifier be overkill when you only stream from Tidal or Spotify? Do higher end preamplifier applications mostly apply to vinyl and /or high end transports vs subscription streaming?

 

 

 

puffbojie

Showing 3 responses by oddiofyl

I always have spent more my preamps than any other component.    It's the heart of any great system.  Get it wrong and you don't exploit the potential of ANY source component.  

In 2019 I got a Bluesound Vault 2i.    It literally changed my life as it pertains to music.   In 5 years I have discovered  more music than in 50 

For a short period I had the Vault and my DAC connected to the amazing sounding Zesto Leto preamp.   That preamp is world class and sounded fantastic streaming from Qobuz and Tidal

I upgraded to an Aurender N200 to pair with my DAC and feel it was a worth while choice despite it's price tag.  I don't even play CDs anymore .  Maybe a handful every year  

Demo something like a Aurender A200 or better and you will see that streaming can sound pretty good 

 

I tried DAC direct and it lacked drive and dynamics ,  after owning that Zesto it was clear where all my systems in the past were lacking.   

Installing that elevated my entire system to another level.  Also, it demonstrated how good my Quicksilver monos really were.  

When I connected it to my 300b it really let that amp shine.   A good pre is crucial to good sound.  All sources pass through and it drives your amp.   Most overlooked component in many systems.  

I sold that Zesto to fund a DHT preamp and am using an old Sonic Frontiers preamp.  A temporary major step backwards in sound quality.  Sounds good but no where as good as with a great preamp.

Your system is pretty good, all it is missing is a Qobuz or Tidal subscription.   Sooo worth the money.   $15 to $20 a month for all the music you can listen to.  

I went to the movies tonight , $32.50 for tix and ready for this...  $16 for two regular drinks.   We had dinner before so we snuck some candy in.

We had a great night , but it made me realize that things like Qobuz and Netflix really are pretty cheap entertainment.  

You really owe it to yourself to put that NAD on a music service that has great sound quality.   The Blu OS runs really good with either and you'll enjoy much better quality.