I have been going back and forth using a Jeff Rowland Capri PM in line with a Berkeley alpha 2 DAC feeding a Modwright KWA 150 SE and the Berkeley direct has greater transparency, detail, air and lower distortion BUT the center fill is oddly thin and the sound is slightly less meaty. To my ears the preamp contributes a subtle layer of fine grain and less clearly defined instrument outlines. It is odd but the straight up alpha 2 is objectively superior at revealing music information yet I still miss aspects of the added noise the Rowland contributes a warm, human character that is compelling. I am truly conflicted.
pre-amp vs dac straight to amps
i have a old (but nice) audio reseach ls-8 going into a ps audio dac III with full cullen upgrades. pre=amp is getting long in tooth and wondering, replace? my whole catalog of over 1500 cd's are now all flac files out of a pc. does the pre-amp add anything ( i thought tubes soften?) so.....
buy a new pre-amp or go straight from dac to amps (yes i know will need something to control volume). thanks very much
buy a new pre-amp or go straight from dac to amps (yes i know will need something to control volume). thanks very much