2. amps-preamps
  3. 1314231744

Is no preamp the best preamp of all?

As an experiment I hooked up my OPPO BDP-95 (which has a volume control) directly to my amp. I was very pleasantly surprised to hear a significant improvement in clarity and sound quality. Typically I have the analog outputs on the OPPO running through my preamp in Analog Direct. I have heard that the circuitry within preamps can cause cross-talk in the analog signal, deteriorating the quality of the signal. So, would having no preamp (and therefore no other circuits to interfere with the signal) be better than an expensive analog or digital preamp running in Analog Direct? I am not really interested in Room Correction or DSP of any kind. I was considering purchasing a Bel Canto PRe6 (which I've read is excellent for multichannel analog), but would it be better to just have the OPPO running directly to the power amp?
128x128cdj123

Showing 3 responses by trebejo

trebejo
102 posts
 
No preamp is better than bad preamp (just like spouses).
trebejo
102 posts
 
Digital volume controls are the algorithmic cousins of mp3s.

In such an instance, the preamp has to be pretty contemptible if it cannot beat the digital volume control.

Don't fall for it, if a manufacturer will not name the specific algorithm used for digital volume attenuation, then you are most probably getting significant digital distortion. Don't be fooled by price, either, you can spend well over $1k and still get this sneaky problem.

I don't know what the monetary lower bound is for good preamps, but for starters, for $500 you can get a used TVC. Used Van Alstine is under $1k. A used AES is under $1k. New or used Mapletree, under $1k. Any of these should be a sonically good foundation for the rest of your future system.
trebejo
102 posts
 
The DAC is the chef. The amp are the ingredients. The speakers are your stomach.

If you use a digital volume control, you are eating it take-out style, in a styrofoam container and probably reheated with the microwave.

If you use an excellent preamp, you are eating it at the restaurant with nice clean silverware and proper lighting.

If you use a lousy preamp, then the waiter is annoying and the fork has a chunk stuck to it from a previous customer.
More to discover