2. digital
  3. 151313-136544

How important is a preamp for purely digital sources?

I’m currently deciding if I need a pre-amp in my setup.
I’ll be using a Bluesound Node 2i as the source and a McIntosh MC7100 as the power amp.

the question is ... how much sound improvement will I get by adding a pre-amp knowing that all my source material will be digital? Will it be more beneficial if I add a quality external DAC instead?

Thanks!!
dookie30

Showing 1 response by helomech

helomech
1,482 posts
 
The Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital is a great suggestion. It's excellent as both a DAC and digital preamp. To better this unit with a stand-alone preamp is not exactly cheap. I added an AVA Fet Valve CFR preamp between the Pro-Ject and amp. It improved the overall sound but for many, I think the margin wouldn't justify the cost. 

The Pro-Ject is one the best bargains currently available in digital audio. Dan Wright of Modwright Instruments was very impressed by it:

 https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=158442.0
More to discover