2. amps-preamps
  3. 1023373805

Digital world - why have a preamp?

My system had been down for a long while. Moved, set up a HT, ect. Anyhow realized I missed my "stereo" and brought everything out storage and fired it up. My PS Audio 7.0 preamp in a matter of days became a functioning retard. I didn't have the money for a new unit and didn't feel like getting help for the retard. (second failure with the unit) So for $250 I bought a Canary Island "passive" preamp off Audiogon. CD & tuner are it in my system.
After listening to way too much music since bringing the stereo out into the light of day I can see no reason to purchase a preamp. (Well maybe if there are numerous secondary components in a system or having a remote is paramount to having a happy household.)
Would it be fair to say that in the digital world "a preamplifier is a filter or coloration device used to "tune" a system to the listeners tastes."
128x128hbarrel

Showing 1 response by tripper

tripper
223 posts
 
Phile' is correct and succinct. My custom tube-buffered passive out-paces my HQ ss preamp. The argument against passives is unwarranted imo, since each system is unique. Of course you're not listening to the passive per se, you're listening to the output section of your source, in which most designs are not up to the task.

Ric Shulz makes a compelling case at www.tweakaudio.com/About%20EVS.html & www.tweakaudio.com/electronics%20tweaks.html

If one Must use a preamp, the best sound is derived via a low gain design, i.e. Electrocompaniet, Arcam/Cambridge, Morrison ELAD and Simaudio. Just my 2 cents and [too] many years of experience...
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