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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
analogluvr
859 posts
 
Wow I just read the meat of this thread and  I can't believe the people dishing out the crap to kosst!!   He's right and the rest of you are wrong. He built and owns one of Nelson's products and loves it so  I think we can rest assured he does not hate the man and is not slandering him. 
And I 100% agree I would much rather have an amplifier with 15 DB of gain then with 30.   
tweak1
3,581 posts
 
Oppo Tech, et al

when I come off full volume on tmy 105 either the bits are dropping, or the VC is too sensitive as the result is loss of damn near everything. I am hoping that the Hattor will solve that problem, and it is a problem

As to the extra I/Os with the Hattor, I think any that not being used are out of the signal path, but I will only be using 2 outs at the most. Still working on solving the opposite problem with my SVS servo subs (volume comes on too quickly) . Maybe a buffer is needed, or maybe SVS servo sub tech sucks. Thinking I might need to get passive subs and use an outboard amp/s  

Nord makes an interesting integrated (I am now jonesing for their amp),. Imagine that with LDRs

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,667 posts
 
Imagine that with LDRs
You can get more linear response with a Baxandall control FWIW.
Post removed 
tweak1
3,581 posts
 
I installed a Hattor XLR late Friday. It took about an hour to begin sounding good, and maybe just now has hit its sweet spot. It certainly  solved most of the problems driving the 105 direct.

It has a lot more VC control, in addition to a significantly reduced noise floor and a much bigger sound stage. I was surprised by how much bass was missing from the 105 direct to amps.

If your budget is in the ~ $1000 range, I highly recommend it, BUT, it is such a microscope that it will expose lessor kit in your system. After a day with a Cullen power cord and PS Audio XLRs, I switched to Surf Cables XLRs (great audio bargain) and WireWorld PC. These significantly warmed up the sound. Pretty sure my Emerald Physics class D 100.2 SE amps need replacing now. Guessing the chips are 2-3 generations old.
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