Mark Levinson also offers a full-funcion option in their current models. And Porziob has it exactly wrong, except of course by his own agenda. No bottom-line incentive? Yeah, that explains the probably hundreds of firms catering to this market. Vinyl playback is alive and well within the high-end segment, and if preamps are offered with phono capability as an extra-cost option, even his digital panties have absolutely no reason to get in a twist.
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.
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.