2. amps-preamps
  3. 169721-127218

How important is the pre-amp?

Hello all,

Genuine request here for other's experiences.

I get how power amps can make really significant changes to the sound of a system. And of course speakers have an even bigger effect. And then there is the complicated relationship between the speaker and power amp. But I wonder about pre-amps.

In theory a well designed preamp should just act as a source switch and volume control. But does it add (or ruin) magic? Can a pre-amp color the sound? Alter pace and timing? Could you take a great sounding system and spoil it with the wrong preamp? Stereophile once gushed (while reviewing a preamp that cost as much as a car) that the preamp was the heart of the system, setting the tone of everything. Really? Some people don't even bother with a preamp, feeding their DACs straight into the power amp. Others favor passive devices, things without power. If one can get a perfectly good $2K preamp, why bother with 20K?

What your experiences been?
rols

Showing 1 response by azwineguy

azwineguy
5 posts
 
I have relatively recently gone down the audio rabbit hole and have had this question myself.  Thank you all for your perspectives!

Dare I ask if it is possible to get decent sound from a home theater preamp?  

I am very happy with the upgraded Emotiva XMC-1 I currently have, but during the lockdown I spent a lot more time listening to music and watching TV than ever......And buying used equipment, then selling it to try something else.  I've had a lot of fun and discovered even with a modest budget, different components can make an obvious difference.  I may be near enough the point of diminishing returns to stay put for a while, but love input for upgrade direction.

I haven't gotten into tubes yet, but I have a Cary Audio solid state that sounds great to me with Zu Druid MK IV's.


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