2. amps-preamps
  3. 1442927452

Is no preamp really better that a good preamp?

Hi All, I have PS Audio gear, and both my DAC and my phono section have enough gain to run directly to the amp. Is this really the optimal arrangement, or might I actually get better sound by adding a good preamp, say a Cary or a Modwright tube unit, to the mix. Thanks in advance.
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tortilladc
121 posts
 
Oh boy. *grabs popcorn*
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
The answer is ... it depends.

A good pre-amp will add a distinctive sound of its own. You'd have to try one and compare to not using one to know for sure which sounds better to you.
lak's avatar
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lak
3,516 posts
 
+1 Mapman.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
Having enough gain in a source component is not all that is necessary to get the best sound out of that component. The output stage of a good pre-amp is engineered to drive the input stage of a power amp, while any given DAC or phono stage may or may not be.

In a related topic, it is for the same reason that many listeners (no pun intended---see below ;-) find the sound of a passive pre-"amp" to lack something (see Art Dudley's column in the current Stereophile).
andrew9405
225 posts
 
Totally depends on what type of equipment the respondent(s) sell here.
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