Parasound Zpre3 SQ

The feedback I've seen on the pre is that it's decent enough.  I shouldn't be having the issues I'm having.  I should note, that when I put the NC 200 in place of the ZPre3 - the issues do not occur, so it is absolutely associated with the ZPre3 or something inside of it - not interconnects or other components.  The Pre only needs to function for the tone controls in the system I'm building for now - it's just unfortunate that it seems that's what the actual problem is tied to.

I have a Zpre3 in a fairly good system. It's not a bad preamp but it's not that spectacular. Not even close to my old PHP850. Your unit seems to be not up to specifications. Perhaps change your interconnects to isolate the problem.

This seems to be amplified by the tone controls of this specific Zpre3.  Anytime the bass is modified at all is when the sound really begins to distort.  This isn't uniform with any of the Parasound gear I've owned previously.  So, it sounds like I have a unit that could be damaged.  Looks like it might be something that needs to get sent in for repair then.

I've found on multiple tracks that the vocals disappear entirely.

I purchased the Zpre3 new and never found the mid-to-high frequencies to be a problem. Its clarity and richness in the mids and highs made me a believer in preamps. When I connected the DAC directly to the amp, the bass came back alive. I think this has something to do with the Zpre3's higher output impedance (470 ohms compared to 75 ohms in the Saga), which might be softening the bass.

To compensate, I’ve been boosting the bass by +2 to +3 on the Zpre3 to achieve a tonal balance equivalent to the direct connection, but the texture of the bass still suffers. The Lokius might be a solution, but I personally prefer transparency over a colored tone. Hopefully, the Saga 2 will resolve that deficiency.

Thanks for the reply!  I know that it smooths things out, but this doesn't sound like that.  It really sounds like someone has turned a movie DSP setting on.  I liken it to how Yamaha's "Sci-Fi Movie" mode sounds.  Lots of echo, lots of processing, there isn't even sort of a comparison between the 200 and the 3.  I've found on multiple tracks that the vocals disappear entirely.  I'm just baffled, in my mind there shouldn't be a way for a 2-channel pre to be trying to emulate a surround processor like this is seeming like its doing.

I was also looking at the Loki Mini and Lokius as candidates.  Really sad about this whole experience.  I'm convinced there has to be something I'm missing, but I've tried just about everything I can think of.

Yes, the Zpre3 (and Zpre2 as well) smooths out the edges but also tends to thin out the bass, something to do with its relatively higher output impedance (470 ohms) I think.  It is still a very good preamp at its price point. You could boost the bass to compensate for this. If you’re considering a replacement, the new Schiit Saga 2 (come with relay-potentiometer, LPS, a remote, 100% discrete) might be the best bang for your buck.