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Where are the full-function preamps?

Vinyl almost died after the launch of CDs, but today the popularity of vinyl playback is on the rise. Music stores are selling more music available on LPs, and many audiogon systems include turntables.

So where are the full-function preamps?

Before digital, preamps were used to amplify low level signals like tape and tuners, and amplify and equalize phono signal inputs. They also had funtionality for input selection and volume control. After the launch of CD, phono inputs became optional in preamps as demand for LP playback fell. Now, there are many systems with only a single high-level digital input. Yet line stages are still considered essential by many. Why, unless the system is poorly designed and implemented?

The standard recommendation is for outboard phono units. Of course, this means at least one more set of interconnects. And some phono units need an outboard step-up transformer for sufficient gain with low-output (<0.5 mv) cartridges. And this means another set of interconnects, in an application (between transformer output and phono stage input) where the wire has a huge detrimental effect on the signal. The trend is for more equipment, requiring more ancillaries like power cords, interconnects and line filters, and more shelf space. And is this resulting in improved performance?

Why aren't consumers and LP enthusiasts lobbying for full function preamps to better serve our interests? And why aren't manufacturers, dealers and reviewers taking the lead by discussing this topic? There are a few exceptions that come to mind (CAT, Shindo, Supratek) but for the most part, we have few commercial preamps that properly serve vinyl playback.
skushino

Showing 1 response by kurt_tank

kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
You forgot Ayre, Hovland, McIntosh, to name a few more, the first two have excellent phono stages, albeit they are optional. (I don't know much about the McIntosh preamps, so I have no idea if their phono stages are fair, good or excellent.)

While I somewhat agree with your premise (I too have a full function preamp, the Ayre K-1XE), most people don't use vinyl as a source anymore, even with the resurgence in analog. It seems to be mostly us audiophiles, as well as a youth movement (i.e. typically college students) that are leading the resurgence. In general, most of the audiophiles who have gotten back into analog already had a line stage, and so only needed a phono stage, and most of the college students only need a phono stage, as they (typically) use a receiver.

I know that when I got back in a few years ago, I just added an ARC PH-3 phono stage. (Later, when I seriously wanted to upgrade my stereo system as a whole, I upgraded to the Ayre. But that is a lot of money, even for an audiophile.) It seems to me, that you get more bang for your buck by going with a separate phono stage until you can spend the big bucks on a really good full function preamp, as the phono stages in the mid-fi preamps are mediocre at best, IMHO anyway.

My two cents on the topic anyway.
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