2. amps-preamps
  3. 140146-108796

What will a preamp do for me?

Missing in the chain below is a preamp - I use the DAC to control volume.  This is my only source and will be for some time.  What could I gain by adding a preamp?

I have Thiel CS 2.3s driven by a BAT VK-55, sourced by PS Audio PW DAC, with bridge II, mostly tidal.  The DAC serves as a preamp in terms of volume control.  Mostly Audioquest cables, amp power cord is Cardas Clear m, all fed by PS Audio upc-200.

I am am hoping to improve the highs, which sometimes sound smeared, too much sibilance; would like more air and clarity.  Loud rock sounds flatter, less dynamic than I’d like.  I am not willing to give up the deep detailed and beautifully resonant mids.  Willing to spend up to $3000, used is ok.  Totally balanced is a must.  Not currently willing to entertain the idea of different speakers - my goal is to make the 2.3s sound as good as reasonably possible before moving on to other speakers.  It’s easy to find a really good preamp in this price range, so much so I am almost paralyzed by the choices.  Aesthetix , Ayre, ARC, several BAT, Parasound and more all have apparently excellent models in my price range.  Patience would put Atma-sphere and PS Audio within reach.  Which is best for my situation?  There’s no way to audition all of these, how could I avoid getting on a preamp merry-go-round?  Or should I spend my money elsewhere?
128x128thosb
electroslacker
255 posts
 
Thanks, Ralph.
rogerwg's avatar
rogerwg
2 posts
 
I have been told for over  2 decades that the shortest path is the best. So I have been going direct from my MSB Platinum DAC III with passive volume control into my amp. 

I recently added a Backert Labs Rhumba 3 Extreme to my system. The difference the Rhumba has made was dramatic. It was like the curtains got pull back and I was hearing the music for the first time. Everything just sounded clearer; especially with low level details. Sound stage improved along with over all musical texture. Every note was conveyed with a sense of presence,  especially with female vocals and string instruments. And the decay just goes on forever. 

The Rhumba 3 Extreme has been the single best addition to my system in over 12 years.


jafant
10,525 posts
 
thosb
are you still auditioning pre-amps?  Happy Listening!
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Other ways to get better highs are conditioning and aftermarket power cords. Also adding just a volume control like a Goldpoint level controls are very good. Then you would no longer be attenuating the the signal shortening bit length. The Gold Point attenuator could be right at the amp. so the cable to the amp would be a high level signal... (the Goldpoint could be used set to a certain level, near the digital max. then you still could attenuate the digital as now, but it would be only slightly done, and less damaging to the word length.Or, the Gold Point could be right next to you seating position... for ease of adjustment.
thosb's avatar
thosb OP
76 posts
 
I have yet to get to the preamp auditions - I took elizabeth's advice and upgraded power cord for amp (Cardas Clear M), plugged it directly into the wall socket rather than the conditioner, and replaced the wall socket with a Furutech GTX-D(R) so far.  All modest but noticable improvements.  During the same time period, I added some isolation devices for the amp and source, and that is as far as I have gotten.  Isolating the amp with wood platform and Iso's cones and feet made the biggest difference by far.  In fact, now I am considering Gaias and Oreas too.  Next big upgrade will be upgrading the source to PSA's DSD DAC.  THEN I will move on to preamps, unless something else strikes my fancy in the meantime.
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