Do I really need a preamp?

Try the Mod Squad Line Drive. It's called a passive preamp but it's really a quality-switching device. It gives all the versatility of a preamp but without the gain/color. They can be found on the used market for $100. to $150.

hello artimus i am not an audiophile yet,but i hope my 2cents helps i too have an adcom pre(565) It has been sitting un pluged for 3 years.keep trying to put it back into the systum for audio,565 just removes detail&life fromthe music.am using a denon 1520 direct into adcom454.the denon has a varible out,staight out,andoptic out ,would alow hookup to more than one power amp.
tried agolden sep in system,bb king& organ ,wonderful.santana,ihad to look at lable to see who it was.

I had a Wadia 850 running straight to a BAT VK60 amp. It was awesome...until I tried a BAT vk50se preamp. For the money, the Wadia direct couldn't be touched. But, the BAT preamp too was a huge upgrade. IMHO, a preamp is a must when funds allow it...

OK boys and girls, you,ve made a believer out of me. Actually I thought I knew the answer already but wanted to check with others before making a final descision. I had tried both ways but a faulty cable had caused some intermintent problems that were hard to track down. I have decided to go for the Conrad Johnson PFR pre. My wife is so impressed with the CJ MF2200 that she has almost given me the green light. Life is good!

my experience has been that an excellent (tubed?) preamp basically levels the playing field when considering any cd player up to $3k (or more?) my $500 nad 5-disc *changer* is competitive w/the likes of the $3k audio resolution cd-50/55, & $1800 alchemist cd player. added benefits of a great pre are realized w/winyl & tuna as well. get an excellent pre, and a cheapie cd-player, & wait until there is tons-o-software for the winner of the next-generation format what/when ever it's decided.

ymmv, doug

ps - perhaps a decent cd-player run straight-in to a great toob-amp mite take the edge off the digital...