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 vinylshadow

vinylshadow
522 posts
 
@smandlej 

I just ordered the Allegri Reference preamp myself. So I'll soon know the answer to the OP's question.

My Classe SSP-800 processor/DAC has been my systems preamp since 2009. It has served me very well but I've read enough from millercarbon and others to have learned that my
2 channel isn't at its best with the Classe(as great of a unit it is). My surround and digital will pass through the Allegri(until I buy an external DAC) as well to my front speakers. I don't think it will change anything sonically though. 

John at Townshend told me that "there is no need at all" for additional Allegri isolation.
"Save your money" he said. 

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