I had the original Pass Aleph P that had the ability to add whatever active amplification you wanted in each channel, which then fed a master passive volume control. So you could go from no active to some active, and I think it was just based on personal preference. If I can find the owner'manual I'll post Nelson's comments. There were two versions of the Aleph P and I'm not sure if the 2nd version included this arrangement. For all the simplicity and exotica, I really wasn't blown away by it.
Why preamp "helps?"
Hi, first-time poster. I'm sure it's been discussed ad nauseum, somewhere, but here goes.
I have a couple of digital pieces with built-in volume control/attenuation (e.g., Oppo 95 and Cary DAC200ts).
In monkeying with the components, I find that I prefer to have preamps in the chain--whether they are tube or solid state. In two of the setups, a preamp would be entirely un"necessary."
It just doesn't quite make logical sense to me that putting another component in the chain with the extra "stuff" and cabling that the signal goes through would or should sound "better." Seems logical that having a more direct signal to the amps should be an "improvement." Sure, the tubes do their thing, but, in a secondary/tertiary system, even for an Emotiva solid state preamp?
I'm not trying to start some sort of debate, but any thoughts on why or how a typical, arguably superfluous, preamp makes it "better?"
Thank you.
I have a couple of digital pieces with built-in volume control/attenuation (e.g., Oppo 95 and Cary DAC200ts).
In monkeying with the components, I find that I prefer to have preamps in the chain--whether they are tube or solid state. In two of the setups, a preamp would be entirely un"necessary."
It just doesn't quite make logical sense to me that putting another component in the chain with the extra "stuff" and cabling that the signal goes through would or should sound "better." Seems logical that having a more direct signal to the amps should be an "improvement." Sure, the tubes do their thing, but, in a secondary/tertiary system, even for an Emotiva solid state preamp?
I'm not trying to start some sort of debate, but any thoughts on why or how a typical, arguably superfluous, preamp makes it "better?"
Thank you.