2. amps-preamps
  3. 186512-135250

Help and opinions needed on pre-amp situation

For this one, I would like to hear from enthusiats instead of people who sell stuff. I’ve been using integrated amplifiers for all my years in this "hobby." I recently went to mono blocks- a pair of the class D Atma-Shpere’s to be specific. I’m using balanced XLR connections straight from a Lumin S1 streamer/dac/preamp into the mono blocks using Lumin’s LeedH volume processing deal. It’s a nice and simple setup with nothing else in the signal path.

The question is: am I missing out on better sound by leaving out an Atma-Sphere MP-3.3 tube preamp? Will adding a preamp improve, diminish, or retain the existing sound quality- as far as soundstage, imaging, depth, tonal balance etc is concerned? This preamp deal is not cheap (for me). Has anyone been in this situation? Did the preamp improve the sound, keep it the same, or make it worse? Am I better off just leaving it as-is with my minimalistic setup?

A couple of other things to consider:

My turntable is collecting dust since changing over to the mono blocks, I didn’t listen to vinyl often even with the integrated since my digital front sound better then my vinyl gear. If it made $ense, it would be nice to have the ability to listen to vinyl again.

At some point I may also have to connect a projector to my system to play audio. Then the issue becomes that projectors do not have balanced XLR output. Most are HDMI. I’m not sure if the MP-3 preamp will work or if a different preamp is better choice here etc. I’d like to keep with the same brand for obvious reasons if possible.

Has anyone been in this situation before and pulled the trigger? If you have- your input, suggestions, and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

veerossi
soix
8,809 posts
 

Calling @atmasphere I’m a big proponent of having a good separate preamp but not sure how it’d work out in your system and for your tastes.  I’d bet big $$$ if you tried an MP3 in your system it wouldn’t leave, but that’s just a semi-educated guess and I’d definitely try it if at all possible.  Best of luck. 

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
623 posts
 

@OP. Sorry to be of only limited help as I haven't heard the Lumin. However, I have yet to hear any digital device with an integrated volume control that sounded better than the same device being run through a preamp of sufficient quality. It's something you need to audition for yourself though because it is device specific. However, in general, I've found the preamp option to be more relaxing to listen to and yet with better dynamics. Caveat again that the LeedH volume control in the Lumin is something I haven't heard. Quality of the volume control aside, however,  it also depends on how good the analogue part of the output stage in the Lumin is versus the quality of the electronics in the pre. Bottom line - one needs to listen and decide.

A final PS. There is also the opportunity cost question - for example, how would the preamp compare to (if you don't have it) adding the X1 PSU to your S1.

yesiam_a_pirate's avatar
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yesiam_a_pirate
156 posts
 

I love separates and love my ARC SP15 but the reality is that a preamp is becoming a dinosaur and is unnecessary to a great HiFi experience due to the leaps in quality in the digital world.  

elliottbnewcombjr
5,230 posts
 

Well, IMO it's a mistake to call the Lumin a PreAmp, as it has no line inputs.

I suggest you keep it for anything digital, and add a tube preamp with both MM and MC phono built in (several loading options for MC). Then dust that old TT off, see if you get into vinyl, then upgrade, some or bit by bit.

A tape loop would be nice to run your Lumin thru. I like old world features: balance; mode (stereo/mono/all L/all R ... whatever

Of course remote volume, for me remote balance is a gift for the tracks I find 'off' a bit. A minor balance tweak can make a big imaging improvement.

lak's avatar
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lak
4,540 posts
 

Trial and error is the only way for you to know for sure what you like best. I know audiophiles that swear by the use of preamps and others that say a direct hook-up is best.

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