2. amps-preamps
  3. 1346098814

Preamps waste of money?

I've been forced to reevaluate the role of preamps. The best sound I have achieved is result of adding a stepped resistor volume control at the input stage inside of my tube amp. All other options I have tried or auditioned including both active and passive volume control(autoformer and LDRs)have "colored" the sound in one way or the other to an unacceptable degree compared the stepped attenuator at the input. Has anyone had similar experience?
dracule1

Showing 3 responses by tmsorosk

tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Your likely just purchasing to cheap of a preamp. Try the Ayre KX-R, it completely removes itself from the signal path and allows the music to flow.
Friends often compare it to moving up many rows at a concert.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
What preamps have you tried?
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
The residual thinness you think you hear from S.S. preamps is the lack of coloration you get with all tube components. The thinnest, most sterile systems I've heard had no preamp.
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