AudiogoN Forums: Preamp or Not

Preamp or Not

System:
Speakers: B&W 802D
AMP: 2 Plinius SA100 MKIII used as mono
Preamp: Musical Fidelity need upgrade to BAT or Pass Labs?
Source: Arcam fmj CD37

I have bunch of other good equipment in my theater room. The above are my 2-channel audio only set up. I have been thinking of upgrading my pre and CDP because they have no XLR connections. They sound very good but I'd like to use the balance connections. I just found an Esoteric SA50 player which apparently can be connected to the amplifier directly, therefore, eliminating the need for a preamp.

Question:

Since I have a very high gain amp and some external distortion and noise issues, would I be better off with a preamp and a source or just go directly from source to the amps. If there are no setbacks with this kind of set up, I can eliminate one component and save some $ in the process.

I would love to hear from members with similar experience and/or familiar with Esoteric SA50.

Espoverload (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

12-30-10

Responses (1-17 of 17)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

12-30-10 It should work out ... on paper anyway. the plinius sa-100 ... Wilsynet

12-30-10 I would go with a preamp and source.....i had the sa-50 in m ... Elescher

12-31-10 I have tired various good passive preamps and have always fo ... Lak

12-31-10 Thank you for your suggestions. the major reason i'd like to ... Espoverload

12-31-10 I doubt that the change from rcaxlr will help. i think that ... 4est

12-31-10 Espoverload, i'd be curious to for you to report back to us ... Lak

12-31-10 Anticipating the sonic results of driving amps direct with a ... Newbee

01-01-11 Thank you newbee, 4est and all others with comments. i guess ... Espoverload

01-02-11 There are electrical reasons which make a preamp the better ... Mihalis

01-02-11 I have tried passive before and it does sound clear but thin ... Booboobaer

01-02-11 Thank you for great comments. mihalis, as far as changing a ... Espoverload

01-02-11 Espoverload, i briefly revisited your earlier thread in whic ... Newbee

01-02-11: Espoverload
Newbee, Thanks for the detailed response. I Understood your response to the last thread and that's how I isolated the problem to the preamp. The noise is a high frequency distortion (hiss) only heard in the mid-range and the tweeter at high volume. As I stated in this thread, my pre and source have only SE in/out. So in order to try balanced connection, I have to purchase a new pre and good IC. Again, I am happy with the sound of the system and I don't need to upgrade at this time. However, if that's what it takes to get rid of the noise I'll do it. But different members have different points of view. Some say XLR makes no difference unless you have very long runs and some indicate it makes a big difference. That's why I'd like to try everything else before committing to buy more gear. I'll try your suggestion on disassembling the entire system and tryng to isolate the source of the interference. I do have several PC's, IC's, RGPS transformer in close proximity to each other. Also my amps and preamp are very high gain and speakers are 8 Ohms with 91db sensitivity. I'll try some more thigs as suggested and post the results.

BTW, what is a cheater plug? Thanks for your help.
Espoverload (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

01-02-11 I forgot to mention that the other day i was hearing a buzz ... Booboobaer

01-02-11 Espoverload sorry i just reread that you have tried new amps ... Booboobaer

01-02-11 Espoverload, a cheater plug is a plug with the old fashion 2 ... Newbee

01-03-11 Thanks both for your comments. a long time ago i had a simil ... Espoverload