2. amps-preamps
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How important is the pre-amp?

Hello all,

Genuine request here for other's experiences.

I get how power amps can make really significant changes to the sound of a system. And of course speakers have an even bigger effect. And then there is the complicated relationship between the speaker and power amp. But I wonder about pre-amps.

In theory a well designed preamp should just act as a source switch and volume control. But does it add (or ruin) magic? Can a pre-amp color the sound? Alter pace and timing? Could you take a great sounding system and spoil it with the wrong preamp? Stereophile once gushed (while reviewing a preamp that cost as much as a car) that the preamp was the heart of the system, setting the tone of everything. Really? Some people don't even bother with a preamp, feeding their DACs straight into the power amp. Others favor passive devices, things without power. If one can get a perfectly good $2K preamp, why bother with 20K?

What your experiences been?
128x128rols
bigkidz
3,324 posts
 
like mentioned by Atmasphere some can and some can't.  Everything you listen to has coloration even passive, transformers, tubes, resistors and capacitors all have their own coloration.  You cannot get around it.

@tvad    The choice of preamp, and whether to use one at all is also governed by an amplifier's gain. Yepper.  This also comes into play when people write a review and compare things.  Not always apples to apples as they say.

Happy Listening.
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nglazer
845 posts
 
After almost 50 years of this mania, IMHO the preamp is the most important component in a system; it is the heart from which all arteries (cables to amp tp speakers) and veins (inputs from sources) flow. I have a VTL 7.5 iii and it is the most neutral, flawless component I have ever owned. Neal
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,706 posts
 
I agree with Tvad. There is no one correct answer since our perceptions of sound are all subjective. I have tried both ways a number of times, and always come back to an active linestage. Yes, they all sound different, but they all seem to reveal more depth and nuance to my ears, whereas passives seem to have the edge with faster transients and a somewhat leaner sound.
We need a contribution here from georgehifi.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,468 posts
 
I also think its the heart of a great system.   I like them stripped down, as few switches and other things in the signal path as possible.   Less is more .....  I dont care about specs or anything other than how it sounds, or doesn't sound like ANYTHING more preferably 
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