Line stage almost never provides voltage gain; under most circumstances, attenuates signal. The voltage coming out of a linestage source component, if plugged dirtectly inot your amp, would be terribly loud, and therefore needs to be attenuated. I think the preamp may provide current gain (my term, probably not a correct electrical term), which is to say that if the amp requires more current than the source is capable of providing, the preamp will be able to provide it.
HELP Digital bad, vinyl good???
OK, boys and girls, I need your help. Besides the obvious philosophical implications, can anyone tell me why two CDPs (Exemplar 3910 and CAL CL-10) using two diff i/cs, and two diff inputs, are highly distorted and my vinyl rig sounds great? VAC Ren Mk2 pre. Doesn't the phono stage feed into the line stage and then to the output? HELP. No XMAS tunes on vinyl.