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Bypass preamp, better sound, yet fatiguing?

Does anybody know a good reason why running from the CD player direct into the amp will produce a better, detailed sound (e.g., piano sounds more real, instruments are better separated), but on the other hand, after a while, after an hour or so, the sound becomes fatiguing?

Is there any thing as too much detail?

System consists of Levinson 390s, 380s, VTL MB-450, B&W 802n. Interconnects are Transparent super. Speaker cable is Transparent super bi-cable.

Are the cables not up to it? Room acoustics? B&W tweeter to bright? I don't experience any fatigue, if I listen through the preamp, but the sound is somewhat duller (but better rythmically) than if I go direct. Any suggestions are welcome.
hgabert

Showing 5 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
I prefer using a preamp, and I have the option of running direct. Any marginal loss in transparency is completely outweighed by the added body, life and realism a tubed preamp contributes to the mix.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Yup, that's a quandry.

I still believe that even if my preamp was made of concrete I'd prefer the sound of the system with it in the signal chain.

Preamps add some magic despite tubes or sand.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I am thinking a well implemented buffer stage like Placette active or the First Sound preamps will do the trick!
Anyone heard them?
Jsadurni  (Answers)
I owned a First Sound Presence Deluxe II in a system with an APL Denon 3910, VAC Phi 110/110 and Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE.

The First Sound is very transparent, dynamic, extended and it's quite neutral for a tubed preamp. I preferred running the APL through it than going direct to the VAC amp.
tvad
9,467 posts
 

05-27-06: Jsadurni
Hello Tvad, I guess the First sound with the APL dennon would have been great! Did you have the H attenuator?
May I ask what is your CD source and preamp today?


I did have the H Attenuator, yes.

Source today is Exemplar Denon 3910, and preamp is Lamm LL2 Deluxe with Mullard 12AU7 and Mullard 6922 NOS tubes.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Thank you Tvad, amazing, I would have gone for the previous set up, but I am sure the new one sounds better then... interesting!
It's not better, but it's less expensive.
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