Is no preamp really better that a good preamp?

A P.S. to my previous post: If you do eventually have an opportunity to try a tube (or other) preamp in your system, and if you find the resulting sonics to be preferable to no preamp, keep in mind the possibility that the root cause MIGHT be a less than optimal tonal match between your power amp and your speakers. Particularly in view of the impedance characteristics of the speakers (4 ohms nominal, 0.8 ohms at 20 kHz), which could conceivably result in an over-emphasis of the upper treble in conjunction with some solid state amplifiers.

Should that ever prove to be the case, changing power amps would probably be a better solution than adding a preamp.

And if there is any uncertainty in that regard, researching reported user experiences involving the use of Spectron amps with Martin Logan speakers may be helpful.

Regards,
-- Al

Many thanks, Al.

Ralph should be along shortly selling his point of view.
I mean products. Like always; never miss the opportunity.
Sorry

A preamp line section has 4 functions:

1) control volume
2) select an input
3) add any needed gain
4) control the interconnect cable

The two latter functions are not done by passive controls of any sort. That 4th function is also poorly understood, not only by audiophiles but designers too. Often if you have a digital source, you may not need the gain and so a passive might seem attractive. But the interconnect cable will be far more critical with a passive control.

Quite often if a passive is involved, people report a loss of bass impact and overall dynamics as the volume control is reduced in level from full on. This is likely due to the source having some sort of coupling capacitor at its output, which is then in series with the control. Unfortunately, the Red Book specification for CD demands that the output of the CDP or DAC be high, in fact so high that it can clip all known amplifiers if the signal is not somehow reduced. So a volume control is essential.

Now if you don't need the gain, the obvious solution is a buffered volume control. This is essentially a volume control with some sort of follower circuit (either tube or solid state) that has no gain but does isolate the control from the interconnect cable. This allows for vastly reduced coloration due to the interaction of the volume control and the cable.

Since I listen mostly to LPs, a buffered control in my system is insufficient as the extra gain is handy! But if you plan to play only digital the buffered volume control is your best bet if you don't go with an active line section.

Rustler, if your satisfied with your current power amp, I want you to look at the addition of a preamp as talorying the sound to your liking, bringing out the best qualities from your power amp, both complementing each other. Some power amps need the drive to sound their best. A direct connection sometimes can prove to be very trying in the long run, not very musical. If this direct connection can be proven to be true as more desirable then all of us need to dispense with the preamp and you might build your system around something that only you might like. If you can figure out a way to dispense with the power amp then I need to get a new hobby.