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 2 responses by mitch2

mitch2
4,167 posts
 
The Ncore NC1200 Class D amps were the first I heard that sounded anywhere close to as good through a passive preamp as through an active or buffered preamp. With the D-Sonic you may meet your goals without a preamp. If you already own the preamp I would definitely try it both ways.
BTW, if your source is a computer, you can do room correction through your player, probably as a plug-in.
mitch2
4,167 posts
 
Out of a 4V source, I have heard a Goldpoint resistor type passive preamp sound pretty good into Class A, SS monos with 100K ohm input, but still lacking depth and dynamics compared to the same amps played through my preamp, which is buffered with no gain. Into NC1200 Class D amps, the passive preamp sounds very clean, and delivers close to the same level of dynamics as I achieve through my buffered preamp. However, through my Class AB SS stereo amp with 10K ohm input, the passive preamp sounds terrible.

I also have a pair of balanced Endler attenuators, which connect directly to the amplifiers so there are no cables required after the attenuators. I cannot discern any significant difference in dynamics between those and the Goldpoint passive, from which I use a1M cable into the amps.
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