2. amps-preamps
  3. 148665-78452

Need a preamp?

Hi all, 

I have an older Cary tube preamp and a Bob Latino ST70 with a built in attenuator driving a pair of Proac D30R. The combo seems to be a tad too warm so I tried using the amp without the preamp and it seems to sound better with a wider soundstage and more extended highs. I have a phono amp also so I can also listen to LPs and cds. Is there a reason I need a preamp other than the convenience of switching between the two?  Would a ss preamp or passive preamp add to the sound?  I presume any preamp would only degrade the quality and can't make it better than it is. 


jaferd
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,634 posts
 
@jaferd  For slightly more money you get better connectors and hand wiring:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Input-2-Output-Audio-Video-AV-RCA-Selector-Splitter-Switcher-Box-Adapter-...
mrdecibel
2,943 posts
 
I am with Atmasphere on this one, having gone passive ( permanently ) 2 years ago, and having a few units.
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
Why limit yourself to only rca with the SYS ?
Go with a nobsound - Has a alps pot , xlr ins and outs as well as rca ins and outs .
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
But he needs a couple of inputs, and his amp is single ended.
But nice to know the  Nobsound Mini use a proper quad Alps 27 for the xlr instead of wiring pseudo xlr.
 https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1FTx5LpXXXXbwXpXXq6xXFXXXj/Japan-ALPS-27-type-10KA-4-quadruple-Audio-p...
https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Fully-Balanced-Single-Ended-Pre-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01MXC9HHW

Cheers George


milpai's avatar
milpai
2,323 posts
 
@ jaferd,I used to own a passive preamp (Promitheus Reference C-Core TVC) driving my ProAc D48R and the sound was very transparent. But I changed that to a tubed Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3 and I am rediscovering my music again. Those ProAcs of yours deserve something really good. You will be amazed with the music they make with an active preamp. The Backert Labs does not sound "syrupy", which is what I used to think tubes sounded. It is my first "tubed component".
And yes, @atmasphere was one of the a'goner who suggested that I try a tube. Can't believe I listened to him and moved from a TVC to active :-)
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