I justgot rid of a krell 250 a channel solid state amp.Replaced it with the new Audio electronic supply SE-845 SET mono blocks, about 32 watts achannel. But the sound is incredible,the only problem was that the gain could use a little boost.I'm currently using a camelot w/analog gain DAC straight into the amps. I was hesitant to put a preamp inline cause I liked the less is more philosiphy. So for fun I bought a audio electronic supply AE-3 tube preamp. Not only was gain increased but space,soundstaging, details,etc. I could go on & on. The same difference I discovered when I switched the overrated krell amp to the tube SET amps is the same difference I discovered with the installing a (God forbid) preamp (tube of course)I've been made beleiver of good preamps. It may take some carefull listening in your setup @ home. But it will be rewarding.
TUBE PRE-AMP OR PASSIVE LINE STAGE ?
gentlemen- do i need a pre-amp ? i'm presently using a AA ddev3.0 dac as volume control. i'm very happy with my system but the dac is the weakest link and i can't help but wonder what my system wouls sound like if i reduced/replaced it's function with a pre-amp or line stage. i want to enhance dynamics, smoothness w/o reducing transparency. it can sound slightly hard when pushed hard. i looking at either the fi y tube pre-amp or the f.t. audio lw-1 passive line stage. my concerns are: that the passive will be sp transparent that the limitations of my dac will be even further revealed. that the tube pre-amp will veil the presentation; every pre-amp system i've heard has sounded like something was between me and the music ! thanks mike