2. amps-preamps
  3. 1416004597

Do I really need a preamp?

As I continue to upgrade my system, I keep asking myself this. I'm looking at the Benchmark DAC2. Since it acts as a preamp, do I really need one? Currently I'm using Peachtree 220 with the NovaPre and it sounds nice, but like the way these things go, I think it could sound even better. With the upgrade, I'm thinking I can eliminate the Pre and run the DAC2 with a new amp (thinking D-Sonic maybe)but I'm not sure.

Any useful information would be appreciated. Pretty new to all this, but deeply obsessed.
robcentola

Showing 3 responses by grannyring

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
You will have to listen yourself my audio friend. For me a great tube preamp is an absolute must and sets the stage for the whole system and experience. A preamp is not needed in terms of getting sound out of your system, but for many, a preamp is a sound quality must.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Go into a studio and see they always have a pre gain stage ,..... Always.
Can certainly get good sound with a passive, no doubt. All about
preferences. No need for the active to be tube....just my preference.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
What about the recording engineers of the world? Should they be eliminating gain stages? They in fact use them right? Fact is eliminating these gain stages does impact dynamics. High frequencies compress all together so you can hear everything at the same level. The background noise is just as loud as the voice etc...This is just an example of properly executed gain stages a their importance.

I have found the same to be true in a high end playback system. I have also heard playback systems without an active preamp that sounded good .... Just not as good to this set of ears. It is certainly subjective.
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