2. amps-preamps
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Eliminated my preamp with amazing results

I pulled my preamp out completely. The result's were not subtle. 

For those who stream music only... I was going from my laptop... to my DAC...to my preamp...to my amp. My preamps ONLY function was volume control. Source control not needed.

I started using Audirvana recently which comes with it's own high quality 64 bit volume control that was far better than the potentiometer in my preamp. It dawned on me that I could control volume using Audirvana and plug my DAC directly into the amp and bypass the preamp altogether. (Roon and Jriver also have excellent volume controllers) Note: Audirvana has an app download on a tablet/phone so it acts like a remote control. I'm loving it!

This not only eliminated the preamps volume control but it took out ALL the electronics associated in a preamp including some cables. A FAR more direct route. However, you must use caution and make sure the volume is controlled properly in the software since the amp will be fed wide open volume.

Having experimented with 'passive' preamps in the past (McCormack TLC-1) I thought the sound would possibly lose dynamics and bass response would suffer. WRONG!

The results were...Shocking!! Immediately the extended depth of the image was noticeably deeper. Background darker. The highs are the best I've ever heard. Pristine. The bass was dynamic, tight and most of all 'textured' in a way I never heard before. As I stated earlier the results are NOT subtle! 

This is an experiment that took a few minutes to set up and yielded the best performance improvement of ANY other tweak I've ever tried. Not anything like using a passive preamp.

Equipment used...  Peachtree DAC-itx. 

                               Preamps...McCormack TLC-1 and Melos tube preamp.

                               Amp is McCormack DNA 0.5

Understand that different components will have different interactions with each other. Your results may vary. However, IF you don't like it, it takes just a few minutes to put the preamp back in the system. Nothing to lose and lot's to gain. After hearing this, I will NEVER go back to using a preamp. 

Good luck!

 

 

gdaddy1

Showing 1 response by jim2

jim2
153 posts
 

@charles7

The RME ADI-FS DAC has a volume control. It is a top-notch digital implementation; I believe the claim that the sound quality is the same no matter how low the volume setting.

  1. I turned my preamp volume to near maximum, then raised the DAC volume control to my desired listening level.
  2. Noted the dB level with a simple sound meter app in an Android device.
  3. Removed the pre-amp and raised the DAC volume to match the dB level.

In my case, I preferred the sound with the Van Alstine Transcendence RB 10 pre-amp.

Thanks for sharing this. I just picked up an RME ADI-2 DAC FS. A friend has a bunch of big $$$ gear and was raving about it... talked about it replacing his expensive preamps. I first put it in with my Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp and thought "Holy Cow... that thing IS pretty good". He said I hadn’t really heard it until I put it direct to my Ayre VX-5 Twenty amp. Well, I am now... and... well... I’m not sure it’s as good. It’s certainly not a "revelation" such that it makes the Ayre KX-5 Twenty obviously obsolete / redundant. (Which is a clue to me). I am going to go back and forth, but I have a hunch the "stuff" / dynamics... whatever, that the Ayre KX-5 Twenty does, is maybe just worth having / keeping...and in the end maybe I prefer it. Notwithstanding that, the RME ADI-2 DAC FS is really friggin’ cool. It’s a special piece and I won’t be selling it, unless they come up with a better widget to replace it with. I have the AKM4493 version.

It’s also occurred to be to be very cautious about selling a good preamp. You never know what new toy is going to come down the pike that "I wish I’d kept that preamp" to use. I suspect I am always going to want to own a great preamp. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Ariel Brown at Ayre has referred to the preamp as being THE most important piece in the chain... 

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