Seems strange no one mentioned that in the days of vinyl only, the preamp had two basic and indispensable functions: to amplify the very small signal coming from a cartridge and to equalize it to the RIAA curve. Preamps seemed more of a "real" component to me in those days than the line stages today that are, more or less, required with higher output sources such as CD, DVD and SACD. I kind of liked the term Yamaha used years ago of a "control amplifier" since it is where the other components are plugged into and where you have the controls.
Preamp is an amplifier too, right???
I just hooked up my little Cary 2A3 monoblocks to a solid state pre, and I can swear the system sounds like it has more balls. I dont know if I like the sound as much, but it definitely seems louder. Does a solid state pre amplify the signal more than a tube pre? No one ever talks about preamplifier power, yet thats what it does, right? Or am I missing something? thanks.......Mark