It’s a good point above that whenever considering a pre-amp to consider how well it matches to the amp intended for use with it. Impedance matching is key. A high output impedance combined with a low input impedance will always color the sound and add distortion compared to same pre-amp with proper matched amp of higher input impedance. That’s just a fact! If not considered, one is much better off with an integrated amp where the design takes care of that for you. Tube preamps in particular tend to have high output inpedance and properly should be matched to amp of high input impedance, 10kohm or higher to be safe. Otherwise that clean neutral pre-amp goes to waste. Some might like the results still but you better at that point else the only option is change gear and try randomly again. Not an efficient, predictable nor cost effective way to achieve desired results.
What qualities stand out in really good solid state preamps?
Recently I posted on the Herron HL-1, asking people what they thought, how it compared, etc. It's been sold and that's ok. The search continues.
But it raises a question I'd like to ask folks:
What attributes do you look for in a good solid state preamp?
Some qualities — quietness, durability, seem pretty obvious.
But what other criteria do you use to differentiate between solid state preamps?
How can they differ and what matters to you?
Please let me know!
P.S. As I've looked around, I've begun to learn more about some of the legendary preamps — made by companies such as Threshold, Ayre, Bryston, Pass, Apt-Holman, and others. It's good to have these names as references, but it would be even more useful if I knew what these brands conveyed, sonically. I've played with the idea of getting a newer Schiit preamp and then I wonder -- what if there's a "classic" preamp out there, used? What would it deliver that was worth searching for?