Preamplifier power supply


Hi folks, should a preamplifier have a BIG (that is: an overkill power supply) to sound dynamic and authoritative? I'm asking this because some experts would say "yes" while others would say "no". Recently a well known audio journalist (Anthony Cordesmann?) said that the preamplifier doesn't have to have a big power supply because it doesn't have to deliver lots of energy (in the form of current). A preamplifier can sound "dynamic" even with very modest power supply --> for example the built in preamplifier in the Benchmark DAC. But some manufacturers rely on a truly overkill power supply in their reference preamplifiers: MBL, First Sound Audio, BAT, VTL, LAMM, Mark Levinson. So who is right?

Chris
dazzdax

Showing 1 response by audiofeil

Elizabeth is just flat out wrong on this and apparently doesn't understand the importance of a component's power supply.

Some of the finest line level amplifiers use large, even massive power supplies to ensure dynamics are reproduced accurately.

They include Blue Circle, Plinius, Marantz, Tom Evans, Pass, Atma-Sphere, First Sound, and on and on.