2. amps-preamps
  3. 1426779273

Is my preamp useless?

I enjoy my current system, which is built around a BAT VK-52SE preamp. I listen mostly to digital, via a Bryston BDP-2 player into a PS Audio DSD. I also enjoy vinyl on my VPI Classic/Dynavector/Sutherland 20-20 combo. Like most of us, I’m usually on the upgrade path. For me, the next component to upgrade would be the BAT preamp from a 52SE to a 53SE. But something occurred to me. I don’t listen loud. The gain on my PSA DSD is set to less than 100 and the BAT preamp is usually set between -20 and -10. So if my volume control is never set in the + range, is my preamp doing ANYTHING other than attenuating the volume and serving as a multi-input switch? Is all that Super Tube, single gain stage, zero feedback, high energy storage circuitry a waste of money?

Don’t get me wrong. I am very pleased with the sounds I hear. But if my pre isn’t doing anything, then I’d be better off to sell it and get a very simple passive attenuator, wouldn’t I? If that’s the case, what brands and models should I listen to?
Thanks for any advice.
slanski62
larryi
4,169 posts
 
The first step would be to just take the BAT out of the system and use the PS Audio volume control to see what that does to the sound. If it improves the sound, you at least know that some improvement is possible by going without the linestage. If the sound does not improve, it might be the case that the PS Audio volume control is at fault (some say attenuation in the digital domain is less desirable than analogue attenuation), in which case you will have to at least try alternatives.

Is the flexibility and remote control features of the BAT important to you? Will a passive have to include some of the features of the BAT? What kind of amps will the passive have to work with? Some additional information would be helpful.
jdoris
972 posts
 
Larryi is right of course; try it both ways.

When I had the PWD, my system sounded better with the PWD at 100% and a pre; does the volume control on the DSD "shed bits" as believe the PWD did?

John
plato
1,543 posts
 
I think you should do as Larryi suggested and run the PS Audio DirectStream direct into your amps and use its volume control. It's an excellent volume control and the quality does not diminish as volume is lowered. That way, the comparison will show you exactly what the BAT preamp is doing with it's associated cables.

If you don't have the latest Pike's Peak mod definitely download and install it! My guess is you will gain a fair amount of detail by bypassing the preamp, but you will lose any euphonic tube colorations. I did not find my particular DirectStream to need any tube colorations because the sound is relaxed and very musical right out of the DAC.

If you need analog inputs for your turntable or other sources I recommend you try a Luminous Audio Axiom II passive preamp with the Walker mod. You will find that there won't be much difference in sound quality running the PS DAC into the Axiom II and then into your amps... and it's very affordable! It will give you back your input switching for other sources and you can get a second pair of outputs if you like. Good luck!
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