2. amps-preamps
  3. 1436845499

What's your "diminishing returns" preamp choice?

What preamp would you consider is at the point of diminishing returns for you? I realize this is a vague and subjective question, but I think it will be interesting to hear the answers.

Of course, a $10,000 preamp will (probably) sound better than a $1,000 preamp but everyone has a different point at which they feel they have spent enough money. In some cases, one may feel that there isn't a significant difference between a $2k piece and a $10k piece to justify such a purchase.

I've noticed that there are some gems in the audio world that defy their price point. For instance, Apogee Centaurs, Halfer 9505 etc. I've always found such pieces fascinating.
woofer72

Showing 4 responses by georgehifi

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Your putting words into my mouth Ralph.

I said if you listen to a passive up full and the level is loud enough for you, you do not miss out on anything, as the transients are not smothered even when they're full up.
Passives sound just the same down low as they do up high, so long as the source is not a weak high impedance tube output stage >1kohm

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Ditto to Timrhu.

The best most transparent preamp is no preamp, unless!!! you need to your ear, a "colouration" that nearly all preamps bring to the sound.
And then it's particular to your own system and your own ear, no one elses.

If you believe that your source amp and speakers have the sound you want to maintain and keep, then a passive preamp or no preamp (if your source has a volume control)is the way to go.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Whatever Ralph, believe what you want.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Both! You can't see the forest through the trees?

These are both in reference to a source with a weak tube output stage, geeeeish!!

And don't even come into play if the source has a good low solid state output impedance.

Cheers George
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