Are Preamplifier’s Relevant Today or just a Hinderance with Digital Playback ?


I’m just curious,.I know from past experiences using a well designed preamplifier can and will make a difference however the computer audio crowd say different with the use of HQplayer with volume control including multiple filters and adjustments in OS mode using a preamplifier is blasphemy to some of them .

What’s your take on this subject? 
Thanks in advance.
in_shore

Showing 1 response by mrdecibel

This topic, like many, has been spoken about, ad nauseam. But the truth is, having a preamp simply depends on 1 thing......  do you need the added gain, which is system dependent. I have not heard ( in my system ) a preamp at the 10K and above price range, but have heard, and have owned, several under 10 K preamps, that sounds less " clean ", than my top model Luminous Audio passive, being fed by my dacs, into any number of amplifiers I run. Speakers are horns,  over 100db, which makes a huge difference when needing, or not needing, additional gain.