2. amps-preamps
  3. 1426779273

Is my preamp useless?

I enjoy my current system, which is built around a BAT VK-52SE preamp. I listen mostly to digital, via a Bryston BDP-2 player into a PS Audio DSD. I also enjoy vinyl on my VPI Classic/Dynavector/Sutherland 20-20 combo. Like most of us, I’m usually on the upgrade path. For me, the next component to upgrade would be the BAT preamp from a 52SE to a 53SE. But something occurred to me. I don’t listen loud. The gain on my PSA DSD is set to less than 100 and the BAT preamp is usually set between -20 and -10. So if my volume control is never set in the + range, is my preamp doing ANYTHING other than attenuating the volume and serving as a multi-input switch? Is all that Super Tube, single gain stage, zero feedback, high energy storage circuitry a waste of money?

Don’t get me wrong. I am very pleased with the sounds I hear. But if my pre isn’t doing anything, then I’d be better off to sell it and get a very simple passive attenuator, wouldn’t I? If that’s the case, what brands and models should I listen to?
Thanks for any advice.
slanski62

Showing 2 responses by justubes2

justubes2
203 posts
 
You are right that the main function of a preamp nowadays is to attenuate the volume. It also provides better impedence matching for a wider range of equipment.

If you have powerful amps it will be a safer possibly avoiding the thin and weak sound.

Being that you are using a BAT tube preamp, it is very possibly addding colour, warmth and ambiance.

I have just added an LDR resistor passive preamp which is impedence adjustable. Eliminating the impedence mismatch problem. I found setting the impedence higher by a few will make the sound very clean and lacking some warmth.

All in all, i can live with it and sounds very good, well maybe slightly less 3D sounding but very very good. It replace a good tube preamp with upgraded teflon capacitors etc costing itself, more than the passice unit. Without these mods, i am certain the accuracy, bass etc for a passive LDR preamp is superior! Stock tube preamps bass is almost always more wolly and adds a little flavour.
justubes2
203 posts
 
so How and Why would a active premamp, tube or solid state sound better than a more direct connection.

Would capacitors, opamps in the signal stage of an active be better than a single resistor, or similar ldr, autoformers?

Every opamp, resitors, capacitors sounds different, possibly changing the sound to ones preference. Adding on your favourite powercord, interconnects, vibration control on these active component adds to the variables you hear, hence the difference in sound.

There is no right which sounds nicest, but the less the variables and carefully matching wiring and connectors will give the best, less molested sonics.

If one has a robust sounding front end, a passive will give equal or less coloured sound. Impendence matching and possible size of speakers room etc will cause possibly a lack of gain required for the amp and speakers to perform or rather not sound thin or dead.

Conclusion would be a matching choice of factors.

The best part is passives are way cheaper and can provide just as good a sound as a $10k or higher preamp.

There is just so much more ways to tune the sound say with capacitors in the signal. Some sound clean or bright or warm or more open pr more distant, the list goes on...

Add the same capacitor in a passive and the traits will start to show.
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