Sell the A6, buy an A8 or A10. You will get a better DAC, a balanced pre with a resistor ladder volume control all using the same app you use now. My A8 sounds great.
Do I even need a dedicated stereo preamp?
Hi everybody, I'm new here. Been a lurker for a long time.
My current system is dual purpose for music and HT. However over time, I have added dedicated pieces of equipment for the music side. The only standalone piece I do not have is a preamp. Here is my current setup.
AVR: Anthem MRX 540
AMP: Buckeye Purifi 1ET6525SA 2 channel
STREAMER: Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2
DAC: Holo Audio Cyan 2
So far I am incredibly happy with my setup. However, a part of me wonders if I would gain any sonic benefit from a dedicated preamp.
I want to just full send it, but money is tight and I want to make sure I would truly have something to gain. That's why I am here asking all of you guys. If money wasn't an issue, I've been looking into Benchmark LA4 or the Holo Audio Serene. Another issue for me is I have gotten so used to using the Anthem phone app to adjust the volume say if I'm in my kitchen. I know I would lose that functionality.
So from those more experienced than me, will I hear a noticeable difference between the preamp in the Anthem AVR vs a dedicated preamp?
Thanks
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Good advice here. Schiit was my gateway drug for preamps, I had the Freya+, and it was a big step up from the preamp in my NAD integrated. I upgraded from that to the Benchmark, more improvement in details, but a bit on the sterile side over time. Great preamp for low volume listening. Unless you want to mess with tubes, I would go with the Kara. |
@musical404 You do not need a preamp. If you use a DAC that has an analogue volume control such as Playback Designs or Audio Analogue, you can run your gear straight to the DAC and out to your amps. Preamps are expensive boxes that actually subtract as they are another box in the music chain and necessitate more interconnect cables as well. I sold my Preamp awhile ago for this reason. |
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I am not familiar with your AVR but assume it would have pre-outs that you could connect to your dedicated amp. I have tried the variable analog out from my DMP A6 directly to my amp and the sound was ok. I thought the purist approach would sound better. When I placed my Aragon 24k pre back into the chain, the quality of the audio was improved substantially. |
- 69 posts total