Are Preamps necessary?

David,
I'm just taking a guess here but if you're able to listen to music right now that Yamaha amp is probably an integrated, in which case you wouldn't need a preamp because you basically already have one. That's just a guess, am I right. All a preamp constitutes, is a volume control, a source selector, and some minor amplification and buffering. An integrated amp is a preamp and an amp combined. I hope that helps and I apologise if you already know this stuff. I'm just guessing due to the fact that you're a new member, have entry level components, and the way your phrased your question.

Preamps provide gain and current drive, both of which are usually necessary with most amps to get the maximum dynamics out of them and ability to control volume adequately. Some DAC's, such as the Benchmark DAC-1 have active volume controls built-in.

With a high quality preamp the sound is fuller with a bigger soundstage. Driving a power amp directly from a CDP gives you a more transparent and detailed sound, but you will sacrifice some bloom and soundstage becomes more shallow. This appears to be a consistent finding to me.

Dazzdax is right on. Even though it may add another component in the chain, the preamp does something to the sound that actually helps it. Don't ask me why, but I've found the same thing.

Rob

Have you listened to a system that blew you away? Find one
and then take it from there.