Is no preamp really better that a good preamp?

Rustler ... I have a similar set up using Martin Logan and Spectron running both digital and analog sources directly for a while. I eventually added a tube line stage. While I cannot say the sound was better per your original question, I enjoy the flexibility of having a different presentation. I always like the analog source passing thru the line stage, but for digital it depends on how I want to feel or the music I am listening to. If I want to feel upbeat and engaged, the digital source goes directly to the amp and if I want to feel relaxed, I add the line stage to the signal path. Others might feel the opposite, but for me this is what happens.

Umm, maybe using the forums for financial gain?
Andrew9405 (Answers | This Thread)

Hmm! So designers cannot participate in forums when they are not pushing their own products?? One believes in active and the other passive or no preamp with supporting arguments.

Personally I find their posts valuable with ACCURATE information especially Atmasphere since I'm also a tube guy and believe in active preamps.

I believe technical questions are best handled by contacting the manufacturer(s) directly via private email.

Using the forums for financial gain, under the guise of "providing information", is both unethical and inappropriate. And it's the usual suspects time after time.

Audiogon provides a classified section for vendors to sell their products.

I guess we disagree.

Using the forums for financial gain, under the guise of "providing information", is both unethical and inappropriate. And it's the usual suspects time after time.

Audiogon provides a classified section for vendors to sell their products.

Georgelofi produces a passive preamp and he advocates going direct from DAC to amp bypassing PREAMP. Where's Georgelofi financial gain? In fact, he's offering his honest opinion and potentially hurting sales??

Rustler: Almarg and I have both told you have a great match to go direct, and adding an active pre is going to do nothing but colour the sound and put a hole in your pocket.

This is true only if the signal from DAC is PERFECT and NOT colored. If not, adding a preamp can improve or degrade the original colored signal.

Also spec (a great match) doesn't necessary equates to great sound. Otherwise all components with the same spec will sound the same and from my experience, it doesn't.

Rustler, there's no definitive answer so only way to know is experiment forself.

Rustler, awesome system. If you like clarity, looks like you have optimized things with your amp/speaker combination. I don't think you will have a problem with a passive with your sources and certainly not with an autoformer.

Vinnie Rossi makes the LIO products where you can get a linestage with autoformer (passive) and also a tube stage. Even better, you can switch the tube linestage out of the signal path so you can try passive only (autoformer). It looks like a great product to me. It uses a fantastic autoformer module made by Intact Audio (good explanation of how autoformers work at their website). I think it should work with your PS a audio components (the direct stream uses transformers at the output, which is terrific). And if it doesn't, you still have a tube linestage with superior volume control in the autoformer.

No affiliation with Vinnie (never used his products) but I myself am interested in this product as a linestage. I use Naim components and also Intact Audio's autoformers with a Berning amp.

I have found the autoformer to be superior to tube linestages I've owned. They don't lose dynamics or bass and provide superior tonal correctness. The cable paranoia is overblown and more than likely only an issue if you are running very long interconnects.

If you are seeking romance, then look for a tube linestage...I like preamps that use tubes like 6SN7 or older. They provide a "fat" sound in the right design.

Good luck!