I most certanly prefer my Audio Research LS27 to no preamplifier by far. In fact if I play my 35 year old or so Stax headphone system thru the record out of mt LS27 instead of the audio source directly in the audio reproduction is extremely better thru the tube LS27. It is not just a minor improvement in sound quality. Whatever audio source is used, say even my OPPO 205 as well as 105, the addition of a fairly recent Audio Research tube preamp will be the best choice. By doing so a quality close to40 year old Stax headphone system can actually compete favorably to some of the recent expensive planer magnetic headphones of today. For a fraction of the cost. That is what a true quality tube preampkifier can do for an audio system. It is simply someting one has to try out for themself. Recently Paul McGowan of PS Audio said the same on his own current top audio systems.
Should I eliminate my preamp?
I have been using my Audio Research tube preamp and Bryston amp to drive Magnepan speakers for years. Recently I added a Oppo blue ray player to my system and connected directly to my amp using the balance cables. The reason was to eliminate the signal having to go through another piece of equipment before it hits the amp. Am I wrong or what am I missing?
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- 82 posts total
- 82 posts total