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
You’ve lost it kosst, go and down another bottle. Go back to complaining about fins on the sides of chassis, you were almost believable then. 
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Honashagen:
Since you have the Ayre there for use in your system, the relevant opinion is your's. 

We await the results of your evaluation.