Importance of the Preamp in a system


I currently own a Sim Audio W3 and had been pairing it with the Yamaha WXC-50 as the pre/streamer. All was fine until I got curious about tubes and picked up a Willsenton R8 tubed integrated. I was shocked at how different they sounded and how much more realistic and lifelike the tubes were to solid state. Everything seems a bit meatier with more separation between instruments, vocals, etc.with the tubes. It sounds more like a live performance then a recording. I pretty much stopped using the W3 and have considered selling it, but curiosity struck again and I did a little experiment using the Yamaha as the preamp to feed the tube section of the R8. The Yamaha has a switch that allows you to use it as a digital preamp with volume control or as a "player" with a fixed level output, bypassing the preamp section entirely. The R8 also has a preamp input which bypasses the pre section allowing it to be used as a tube amp. In this configuration the R8 lost a lot of the sparkle and realism that I loved about the tubes. It was much more dramatic then I expected, and easily ID’d as worse in a blind comparison. I was under the impression that a digital preamp should still sound great and possibly even improve on some areas by eliminating some of the characteristic flaws tubes have like microphoney. Actually I was under the impression that the preamp did very little to the system aside from make it louder or softer.

So this experiment really changed my opinion on the role of the preamp. I realize they can impact the structure and presentation of the sound and in a potentially significant way. So my question is this- do I simplify my life, get rid of the W3 and continue happily with the R8, or should I get a new preamp to better match the W3 and really unlock it’s potential? I’m wondering if I’ve even heard the true nature of the W3 at this point since the WXC’s pre section seems to be pretty bad. If I keep the W3, the two pre’s I’d consider are the SimAudio P3 (solid state) or the Freya+ which is a tube pre and uses the same style 6SN7 tubes that I seem to love in the Willsenton. Would that get the sparkle/realism back? Either would be under $1k, with the Sim a little cheaper then the Freya since buying used.
128x128perkadin
Maybe 10 years ago I discovered the relative importance of the preamp in the chain of reproduction. IMHO only the speaker-room interface and the amp-speaker interface are more important to getting good sound. There are lots of threads on this topic so I would suggest a search but in general be mindful of impedance matching and consider putting tubes in front of solid state amplification if you want a bit of magic and a “set and forget” experience. Have fun!
Back to my original question, I’m kinda leaning towards the Freya/Sim Combo. I’m curious though if synergy is so important
'Synergies' such as pairing a dark preamp with a bright sounding amp usually end in tears- upon seeing how many $$$$ went down the loo.

Better that each part of the system stand on its own merits.

Now that you are safely journeying down the rabbit hole, just so you know it doesn't end- there are 6SN7 based preamps out there that can really transform a system. I think you're taking the right step looking into them.

I have experimented with using my DAC as the pre-out to the power amps and using a preamp. Of course louder volume is achieved with the preamp, but also a lot more "music" as the preamp added detail. At least that's what my system revealed. The wild card is the type of the components and how well they play together. 

for streaming, far less important than non streaming

dare I say, unimportant particularly if funds permit a higher end digital front

I’m dead sold on streamer/dac direct to power amp

also appreciate a nice analog preamp that can last forever

that Parasound JC 2 BP is the deal of the century and I’m personally eyeing a Rotel Michi pre/power set up

also better to have and not need than need and not have

also always nice to always own a well built pre amp