+1
Yes… Logic says no… listening overwhelmingly says yes… the better the preamp the better the sound.
DAC DIRECT IN TO AMPLIFIER OR TO PREAMPLIFIER
For the longest time, I believed that the best preamplifier is no preamplifier. Eliminating a component from the audio chain would yield less distortion & greater purity.
Recently, I have had reason to re-think my logic on the matter - and I am (I think) changing my mind. Better said, assuming that the preamplifier in the component you are using (in my case, a DAC) can produce 95% or greater quality sound compared to the preamplifier component, then no preamplifier is the best option. The 5% represents the (estimated) loss of fidelity in adding another set of interconnects.
That said, most DACs do not have an outstanding preamplifier built in. I think most have average passive attenuators, and the better DACs have active preamplifiers that are very good - but not as good as a quality preamplifier.
What are your thoughts?
Showing 7 responses by ghdprentice
I agree that blanket statements in high end audio can be problematic. But in this case, moderated by “in the majority of systems a high quality preamp” will improve the sound quality is fairly safe. Direct to amp typically produces a highly detailed but (typically described as) dead / lifeless sound. If you review the topic here on earlier posts you’ll see that 90+% have experienced this. Most folks that try it, go back to a preamp. I would recommend a high quality tube preamp. Some folks have done very careful component matching and been happy with the results. One has to wonder in those cases, did they value detail over musicality and natural sound, or was it a great match.
It will probably not always be like this, as the the shift to the digital world continues, DAC companies will apply more effort to analog outputs and they will likely get better. |
@carlsbad2 “…My summary of this thread would be that there are 2 camps, one likes adding a preamp, and one doesn’t..” I get a different take all together. It seems there is consensus that most of the time a real preamp is required, it can be built in, or separate, or the music looses some really important characteristics. While there are exceptions… generally very high end, they are that… exceptions.
This brings up the problem to those assembling systems… especially if they are not auditioning extensively along the way. You put together a system without one and you don’t know what you are missing. And this missing stuff is often the most important stuff… what allows you to enjoy the music vs the system. So, without a preamp you often get amazing detail but somewhat flat lifeless presentation. This is a recipe for listening to the guy in the third row of the symphony move his foot as opposed to getting lost in the music you are listening to.
Us old times tried this by removing their preamp, so had the advantage of noticing the difference… then for whatever reason put it back in. Folks these days my never put one in. |
@blisshifi “…T+A SDV 3100 HV (which in all fairness has a true preamp stage built in)…”
That is really interesting. Perhaps what that means over time as digital becomes more dominant… DACs will include preamp stages… and really ultra high will continue to require separate preamp functions. |
Thanks for your excellent contribution. Just a caution, which it sounds like you would do anyway. If you choose to move to the Pass XP-32… audition before you buy. From what you have said, I would bet you loose the magic you get with the REF6 in your system. The Pass are a bit less warm and more analytical. That small difference could be an important one. |