How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?


Hello all.
I'm using an Audible Illusions L1 preamp and I think my system sounds better when I remove it from the signal path. Oppo BD105 directly to SMC Audio DNA1 Gold power amp. I have read that there is level of quality you need to hit before there will be an improvement in sound. I can't seem to find what that level is. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Ben
honashagen
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If your talking about the Aleph L there are two versions. This mkII passive patent pending one as he puts it:
"The only component in the signal path is wire and switch contacts."
Then it becomes active when the volume goes beyond 3 o’clock.

Cheers George
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In my experience, I thought I was looking for a magical mystical linestage that money could deliver, but I was actually trying to correct abnormalies in the speakers.  When the speaker were great, direct from DAC was glorious...but still open-minded.