Best Preamp - NO preamp... (?)


A few hours ago I decided to experiment and bypassed my highly regarded, excellent passive preamp and hooked up my PS Audio DSD DAC directly to the power amp.
There is no going back...
Every aspect of the sound has improved so dramatically that I'm simply blown away. I'm a bit shocked, playing CD after CD and I still can't believe it.
My phono stage has gain control as well, so it seems that from now on it will be disconnecting RCAs and plugging each in turn.
Since I usually do vinyl day or cd day (or week) anyway, the trouble seems totally worth it. Letting the cable settle in for a bit is not an issue.
Am I just crazy or are any of you doing the same?
Should I be concerned about damaging  the RCAs over time?
Thanks for your thoughts and experience. :-)
ami

Showing 2 responses by bassdude

It does, indeed, depend on each person's personal preference.

I have both and use both active and passive preamps, at various times, depending upon the sound I'm seeking.

I got a Creek OBH-21 Passive Preamp, primarily to use as a remote volume control.  And found the sound to be somewhat more transparent and somewhat more detailed and clear than my Parasound JC-2, and my Audio Research Ref 3.  Though, the "somewhat more" is a fairly small difference.  

I A:B'd the OBH-21 vs the Ref 3 with my wife as the judge... and... she clearly preferred the sound of the Ref 3 - called it more real and life-like sound than from the passive preamp.  Though, the passive preamp still sounded like it was a bit more detailed and clear.   

The tubes of the Ref 3, produce a deeper, more localized soundstage / image, which has more ambience - thus, the more life-like, realistic sound.  No doubt the effects of the harmonics of the tubes - "good distortion."  

The interesting thing is... the OBH-21 cost about $250, compared to the $4000-7000 of the active preamps to which I was comparing it.  So... for the money, it's hard to justify the price premium of the active preamps, when the passive preamp sounds so good and so close to the active preamps.  And... I understand... some of the custom made passives, sound even better, for a nominal increase in cost.

One compromise... might be... to use a passive preamp and a tube buffer - which might give you the best of both passive and active preamps.  

Of course... if you must have all of the connectivity and features of a better active preamp, then most passive preamps are not an option.  

So... "to each his own."
Yes... the AR Ref preamps look like they're among the very best available.  I've got the Ref 3 and Ref 5se... and... they are incredible - though, as I noted above, I am surprised at how good the Creek Passive Preamp sounds in comparison for a pittance in price.  

I did note in Collums ratings of preamps in HIFI Critic that he rated the AR Ref 5se at 225, compared to the highest rated Townshend Allegri at 230 (an autotransformer passive preamp).

Presumably, the AR Ref 6 and Ref 40, would be somewhat better - as most who have had both the 5se and either of the others report - though, at significant price premiums to the 5se, and of course, to the Allegri.  

At $2300 the Allegri looks like a "real bargain"... if... you can live without the conveniences of switching, balanced connections, and the remote.  Though, those conveniences come at very hefty premiums.  

And... I guess you could consider the AR Ref 3 as almost as grand a bargain at it's current price in the used market.  Most who have had both the Ref 3 and Ref 5 - 40 report that the Ref 3 is by far the "sweet spot" of the AR line.  So... perhaps... the price premium for those conveniences and great sound of the AR units is only about 2x the price of the Allegri.

Though you still have the cost of maintaining the AR tubed preamps - which the Allegri avoids.