2. amps-preamps
  3. 135591-46395

How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?

Hello all.
I'm using an Audible Illusions L1 preamp and I think my system sounds better when I remove it from the signal path. Oppo BD105 directly to SMC Audio DNA1 Gold power amp. I have read that there is level of quality you need to hit before there will be an improvement in sound. I can't seem to find what that level is. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Ben
honashagen
aball
2,016 posts
 
Hi Phomchick

If you have enough gain, drive, and power bandwidth from one single amplifier stage, then that's great.  Like I said, it's up to the human in the feedback loop to make the call.

But to be fair, you most likely have more than one stage of amplification already built into your source and amp.  They just didn't tell you it's there.
phomchick's avatar
phomchick
209 posts
 
To be fair, there is no reason to use a preamp if you don’t need the gain (e.g. you are listening to vinyl).  It’s not going to sound better, which is what the OP was about.
Post removed 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
phomchick
Personally, I have retired my preamps (I have three to choose from) and have my DAC connected directly to my amplifier. It is better.
+1,
But there are others that live in denial, even if they can do with good impedance and gain matching.

A buffer or gain stage added to a passive with good impedance and gain match can only add distortions/colourations.

Cheers George
Post removed 
More to discover