2. misc-audio
  3. 1172032508

Can a direct CD to amp connection degrade sound?

I've had a Cary 300/200 for over a year and always ran it thru my Rogue 99 pre amp. A week ago I tried going CD to my Rogue Zeus amp direct. Many ads suggested that with a volume-control CDP, a pre was a waste. Sounded right on paper, sounded very wrong in person. The sound without the pre was flat,tinny. There was no air around instruments. What happened? How can a pre improve a CDP's signal when the whole point is to leave the signal unchanged? Has anyone tried it both ways and compared the results?
manorraul
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
the impedance has to be a good match between the components.
Clearly YOUR components are NOT a good match for a direct connection.
aball
1,994 posts
 
I have had the very same experience as you - three times. I think direct connection only works well in certain special cases.

Arthur
the_smokester
174 posts
 
Yep. Sometimes you can get luck and have a good impedance match. But generally, a good line stage is needed to achieve good sound.
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