2. amps-preamps
  3. 1246727348

do you use a pre-amp with your DAC?

I have a server based music system comprising of

squeezebox > Bel Canto Dac3 > Bel Canto S300 > PMC TB2+s.

Bel Canto recommend using the the Dac3 as the preamp directly to the amp for best results. It sounds good but I am intrigued by what I could gain/lose by inserting a quality preamp into the chain.

Is a preamp just a glorified volume knob an input selector? If so there are some pretty expensive volume controls out their.

What benefits does a quality preamp do in a system, and what does it do to the sound at the end of the chain, ie on the speakers?

Can anyone recommend me some preamps to try for my system as well.

Thanks

Andrew
jaffa_777

Showing 3 responses by jaffa_777

jaffa_777 OP
10 posts
 
anyone?
jaffa_777 OP
10 posts
 
so a pre-amp does add some sonic difference to the sound?

I spoke to an audio buff friend of mine and told him while my system sounds great I feel their is some presence and 3 dimensionality missing from the sound. He reckons spending as much money on the preamp as you can is one of the most important parts of you system next to the speakers. Is this true?

With his system you can hear all the instruments come forward and backwards as if they were being mixed at the time of listening. Mind you he has a $30,000+ system.

I have been reading about the Calypso and the Capri being excellent pre-amps. Also some cheaper less marketed companies like wyred for sound is getting good reviews.
jaffa_777 OP
10 posts
 
hmmm seems like had better try some preamps. I like the idea of the Calyspo having a blend of tubes and solid state. I heard a tube pre-amp one time on my speakers, and it sounded fat, lush and nice. But after a while I felt a little non excited and tubbed out.
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