There are electrical reasons which make a preamp the better choice for most amps out there. I will try to elaborate some other time. However for your cable question, it is worth trying xlrs to see what is going on. It sounds more likely, however, that your preamp is either introducing or amplifying a noise that is already there (rather than the noise being picked up by your cables.) Maybe try the preamp with other amps to see if it makes a difference. If the amp has gain control drop it and see if that helps. It is of course possible that if you are running very long rcas they pick up noise but that would have to be fairly long cable runs...
Preamp or Not
System:
Speakers: B&W 802D
AMP: 2 Plinius SA100 MKIII used as mono
Preamp: Musical Fidelity need upgrade to BAT or Pass Labs?
Source: Arcam fmj CD37
I have bunch of other good equipment in my theater room. The above are my 2-channel audio only set up. I have been thinking of upgrading my pre and CDP because they have no XLR connections. They sound very good but I'd like to use the balance connections. I just found an Esoteric SA50 player which apparently can be connected to the amplifier directly, therefore, eliminating the need for a preamp.
Question:
Since I have a very high gain amp and some external distortion and noise issues, would I be better off with a preamp and a source or just go directly from source to the amps. If there are no setbacks with this kind of set up, I can eliminate one component and save some $ in the process.
I would love to hear from members with similar experience and/or familiar with Esoteric SA50.
Speakers: B&W 802D
AMP: 2 Plinius SA100 MKIII used as mono
Preamp: Musical Fidelity need upgrade to BAT or Pass Labs?
Source: Arcam fmj CD37
I have bunch of other good equipment in my theater room. The above are my 2-channel audio only set up. I have been thinking of upgrading my pre and CDP because they have no XLR connections. They sound very good but I'd like to use the balance connections. I just found an Esoteric SA50 player which apparently can be connected to the amplifier directly, therefore, eliminating the need for a preamp.
Question:
Since I have a very high gain amp and some external distortion and noise issues, would I be better off with a preamp and a source or just go directly from source to the amps. If there are no setbacks with this kind of set up, I can eliminate one component and save some $ in the process.
I would love to hear from members with similar experience and/or familiar with Esoteric SA50.