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Best Preamp and Amp combination, interesting finding!!!

Hi all,

Yesterday, I decided to conduct a very interesting experience using my amp and preamp combinations. In the interest of fair discussion and also avoiding brand war, please allow me to conceal the name of the amps and preamps, knowing that both amps and preamps came from the same manufactures. The combinations are as below: 

Combination 1 (C1): $3000 preamp + $1000 amp
Combination 2 (C2): $1000 preamp + $3000 amp.

I went back and forth between C1 and C2 several times with multiple people, using the same speakers and DAC. The volume of both C1 and C2 was adjusted to be equal using my Db meter. 
At the end of the experience, almost everyone including me prefers C1. Which is a higher-end preamp combined with the lower-end amp. 
I was surprised by that finding. I always thought that the amp has a greater impact to sound quality, but my experiment proved otherwise. If you have any similar experiences, please let me know. I would like to understand why it happens that way. Why the preamp has a greater impact on the overall sound quality comparing to the amp?
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Showing 1 response by downtownberlin

downtownberlin's avatar
downtownberlin
19 posts
 
There is a good YouTube video from PS Audio online. And he admits that he has no technical or science based explanation why pre-amps can improve the sound. Of course everything crappy made part of the chain can mess up the sound. But this is the same for every part in the chain.

But for improvements there is no other explanation than that preamps add a coloration to the sound. They add something to the original sound signal and we get tricked because we like the more colorful better than the perfect neutral signal.

This is the same what speakers do. They add a color profile to the sound. There is no single speaker out there who is reproducing the neutral signal. 

Hifi manufactures are creating a sound signature a put some flavor to it. Basically they trick us. And sometimes it’s cheating in the best possible and welcome way.  
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