2. digital
  3. 180443-147162

To preamp or not to preamp. That is the question.

I have recently set up a second system from some previously owned components which I though I would use for occasional listening as I have a better rig in a dedicated music room. Yet I find I'm listening to it more than expected and want to optimize it.

I use only a single source, a Bluesound Node 2i, feeding directly into a Forte 4a Class A power amp and some Totem Model one signatures speakers. No preamp! Controlling the volume with the BlueOS app, the system plays loud enough for my listening needs but I know the output of the Node is on the low side for the power amp. I'm not looking to upgrade the current speakers, amp or streamer. Other than having more gain, would adding an active preamp bring anything to the table other than more expense and additional "stuff" in the audio chain. What has been the experience of other members been who have gone this route?

128x128alvinnir2
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

Budget is around $1000. I don't mind buying used, prefer it in fact.

With that budget and being a bedroom system, I am wondering if it good enough “as is.”

Do you do a lot of careful and critical listening in there? Or is it mostly mood music?

yoder
18 posts
 

I have a Bluesound Node 2i. I haven't tried using it alone for volume control...yet.  Will have to try.  I originally bought NAD M51 as DAC only (about $550 used) but tried as preamp and struggle to find something significantly better.  New price I have only gotten up to about $6k with tube pres, but the main benefit has been better gain matching for my 24 WPC tube amp whereas NAD had plenty for SS. Maybe my speakers or my ears aren't good enough to tell the differences or the NAD is just very good. I definitely recommend it at its used price point. 

I've yet to experience the pre as the heart of the system though I've heard some say this. Maybe I need to spend $15k. The speakers and amp are the heart for my experiences,  but that's just from what I've been able to try in my rig. 

alvinnir2's avatar
alvinnir2 OP
103 posts
 

@holmz 

I don't do my critical listening on this second system. It's not in my bedroom but in my living room. My critical listening is with my primary system in a dedicated room in my basement. So it, as it stands, is "good enough" but I will happily entertain an improvement if cost effective.

tonix
23 posts
 

@alvinnir2

I think for around 1000 USD you may get a second hand Threshold FET ten, which is probably still one of the most transparent preamp ever built.It will reveal any change in your equipment, and will be soon moved to your main system.

I had a similar question, a fee weeks ago, and comparing the direct DAC ouput with the usage of the pre, I had no doubts: to preamp, there is no question.

Any change on DAC volume lead to a degraded sound, while any change on preamp volume was completely transparent.

Usage of preamp let me to setup the DAC at his best (fixed max volume), and let the preamp manage volume.

cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 

An excellent preamp is the key to audio bliss.

More to discover