2. amps-preamps
  3. 1038091302

How can an active preamp possibly help?

When I pipe the line level out from my CD player straight into my variable gain amp, I must turn down my amp from unity gain lest I blow out my ears. If this is the case, what value can an active preamp possibly be adding? The signal from the CD player is already "too loud" for the amp.

This leads me to question why an active preamp is needed at all. Switching and volume I understand, but can someone please explain how an active preamp amplifying the signal before it gets to the amp helps the finished product sound better (especially in light of my it's-already-too-loud example).

Thanks!
matt8268

Showing 1 response by bluefin

bluefin
111 posts
 
Exactly, a poor impedance matching will cause distortion. Remember: impedance is a function of frequency, therefore a good matching across the audo spectrum is important. Be sure you know what you are doing when go passive. One or two resistors do not necessarily mean "shorter path" than a few active transistors. If poor matched, it can be a "distorted path".

It is like to drive a low efficiency speakers with set amp, a wrong combo still makes bad sound.
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