I've played in the past with a ensemble dac/player combination. I thought there will be not that many improvement by adding a pre-amplifier, i was wrong.
After adding a CAT SL1 ultimate mkII dynamics and 'air' where improved much, also the bottom end was much more dynamic.
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Robert,
Of course this is entirely an example of the preamp adding
euphonic distortion. If the CAT SL1 were the proverbial
"straight wire with gain" - then there would be no
difference whatsoever. [Presumable the DAC was capable of
driving the amplifier input w/o any need for gain or
impedance matching]
Now the fact that you prefer the music with the CAT SL1 in
the chain is entirely legimate. If you like it - then
keep using it.
However, it does demonstrate a case where the addition of
a "signature" or distortion to the signal actually makes
the music sound better.
If the music has "air" with the CAT SL1 that it doesn't have
without the SL1 - then clearly the SL1 is *adding* that
"air" to the signal.
Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist
After adding a CAT SL1 ultimate mkII dynamics and 'air' where improved much, also the bottom end was much more dynamic.
===========================================================
Robert,
Of course this is entirely an example of the preamp adding
euphonic distortion. If the CAT SL1 were the proverbial
"straight wire with gain" - then there would be no
difference whatsoever. [Presumable the DAC was capable of
driving the amplifier input w/o any need for gain or
impedance matching]
Now the fact that you prefer the music with the CAT SL1 in
the chain is entirely legimate. If you like it - then
keep using it.
However, it does demonstrate a case where the addition of
a "signature" or distortion to the signal actually makes
the music sound better.
If the music has "air" with the CAT SL1 that it doesn't have
without the SL1 - then clearly the SL1 is *adding* that
"air" to the signal.
Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist