2. amps-preamps
  3. 1113473991

why does preamp improve sound quality?

I recently listened to a Mark Levinson no.390s CD processor directly connected to a pair of Quad II-forty five tube amps. When a matching Quad preamp (much cheaper than the Levinson) was placed between the Levinson and the amplifier, the sound improved dramatically even at moderate volume- it became much more clear and transparent. Why would this be the case? Wouldn't adding an extra piece of equipment add more distortion?
no_slouch

Showing 1 response by bufus

bufus
149 posts
 
It probably has to do with matching the output impedance of the source with the input impedance of the amplifier. If you have all of the manuals, find the specifications for:

Mark Levinson no. 390s "output impedance"

Quad preamp "input impedance"
Quad preamp "output impedance"

Quad II-forty five amp "input impedance".

After looking at these, see if the numbers suggest that "CD to AMP" would be better matched with the preamp inline.
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