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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

musical404
pvnasby
41 posts
 

The biggest change in my system I’ve experienced in the last ten years was adding/changing my preamp. It was like night and day.

soix
11,233 posts
 

For example, there are typically multiple variables (tucked away under different modules) that factor into gainstaging in a prepro, as compared to a simpleton purist preamp. You need to consider/address that when matching it up with a power amp.Some guys just don’t have the ability to understand/work with a complex device such as a prepro. If you fall in that category,  a simple purist preamp will do better. If you do understand how to work with a prepro, it is a powerful tool for achieving some unbelievable sound.

Some guys just don’t have the ability to to hear how adding a bunch of noisy digital/video processing crap into a well designed stereo preamp can muck up the sound and really just need the digital bandaids to make up for other deficiencies in their systems they don’t otherwise know how to fix.  Go to any quality dealership or audio show — no high-end speaker manufacturer or dealer demos their 2-channel systems with a prepro.  None.  Hmmm. 🙄

vthokie83
1,224 posts
 

musical404

As many have already said, you do not NEED to get a separate preamp.

You do however have to get one if you want to get the best sound out of your gear, and continue building a better system.

Like many others here, I much prefer tube preamps with both solid state and tube amplifiers.

One of the largest improvements to my system was when I added an Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp, to my rapidly upgraded system. I've since tried many tube preamps in my system and others, and to me is one of the most important components.

musical404 OP
18 posts
 

So many choices! Still, I am fine for now until I have the funds or inkling to upgrade again. Mainly because my wife would kill me if I bought another piece of audio gear while I don't have a job. 

antigrunge2
1,562 posts
 

There seems to be some confusion here: yes, digital volume controls degrade sound but: no, you don’t need a preamp. Dacs operate with 2+V RCA and 4+V XLR output. Unless your amp has unusually high impedance that is plenty sufficient for a high quality analogue, i.e. passive attenuator, either built into the DAC or stand alone.

All a pre could add is distortion in that configuration. Pre amps were initially designed to boost low output from phono amps and attenuate. The former function doesn’t exist any more in digital music reproduction

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