How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?


Hello all.
I'm using an Audible Illusions L1 preamp and I think my system sounds better when I remove it from the signal path. Oppo BD105 directly to SMC Audio DNA1 Gold power amp. I have read that there is level of quality you need to hit before there will be an improvement in sound. I can't seem to find what that level is. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Ben
honashagen

Showing 1 response by rbstehno

Just bought the McIntosh C47 preamp, very similar in performance to the C52 that was reviewed in the latest TAS. Very nice, much better than going straight from my dac to the Classe monoblocks. Plus I needed  preamp since I also have a tt and a cd/SACD player. When Going straight from the dac into the amp, the sound seemed lifeless. The preamp has made the SQ come alive, more spacious and the instruments are more articulated/distinct.