high gain or low gain tube preamps ?


is there an advantage using a preamp with 15 db of gain as opposed to 25 db or more of gain.

i have found that with some preamps i have too much gain. i realize that amplifier sensitivity is an issue. however is there an advantage sonically to having a lower gain preamp for the line stage ?

i believe that there is an optimal setting for a volume control on a preamp and if this is the case, having too much or too little gain will not realize the best performance a preamp is capable of.
mrtennis

Showing 1 response by weez

You have raised an interesting question on a complex topic that probably has no correct answer.

IMHO, most systems have too much gain. Many of today's amplifiers have close to 30 db of gain; so adding another 20 db in the pre-amp is too much.

Even in a system with lower sensitivity speakers, a total system gain of 32 db is sufficient in most rooms. So, 26 db in the pre-amp is overkill (again, IMHO) and may just contribute to more noise being amplified in the power section.

WEEZ