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 yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,026 posts
 
A preamp is a must for me. Even if I used a DAC with volume control for streaming. I also have other sources, tuner, SACD.

My Benchmark LA4 preamp is a perfect preamp in that it has no sound to it. It costs $2K and it is a great bargain. Read the reviews.

I have a $6.5K CODA 07x that does color the sound. It makes it sound beautiful however, I am finding I listen to the LA4 more.
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