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How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?

Hello all.
I'm using an Audible Illusions L1 preamp and I think my system sounds better when I remove it from the signal path. Oppo BD105 directly to SMC Audio DNA1 Gold power amp. I have read that there is level of quality you need to hit before there will be an improvement in sound. I can't seem to find what that level is. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Ben
honashagen
honashagen OP
87 posts
 
The Pass is going back.

kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
Looking at the schematic, I'm not sure it's not buffered by the gain stage to a degree. The entire length of the resistor ladder is fed by the MOSFET with the direct source line tapping into the ladder at RV6. It looks like the ladder just attenuates the MOSFET gain below the line level further down the ladder. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
If your talking about the Aleph L there are two versions. This mkII passive patent pending one as he puts it:
"The only component in the signal path is wire and switch contacts."
Then it becomes active when the volume goes beyond 3 o’clock.

Cheers George
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
I looked at the most recent service manual from Pass. It's got both revisions. The original has no such direct connection. The revised design really only attenuates the gain below the line level. The gain stage isn't on its own discreet ladder. 
electroslacker
255 posts
 
In my experience, I thought I was looking for a magical mystical linestage that money could deliver, but I was actually trying to correct abnormalies in the speakers.  When the speaker were great, direct from DAC was glorious...but still open-minded.
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