The pre amp is the most important piece to get right, IMO. Also, Having a proper volume control is very important. So many of these preamp/Dacs today do not spend $$ on high quality volume control....its more of an afterthought.
Matt M
Matt M
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.