90% of systems these days have enough gain from the source and in the poweramp so a passive pre can be used, this get’s rid of a large source of noise, the "active preamp".
Wouldn't that be a moot point if one is using an integrated amp?
Lowering the noise floor
I am coming to the conclusion that success in home audio reproduction is largely about lowering the noise floor. There are so many different types of “noise”, from so many different sources, that we only really “hear” by their absence.
Those components, cables, accessories and tweaks that SUCCEED at lowering the noise floor, can, and do, dramatically increase sound quality. Sometimes the type of “noise” dealt with is controversial, or not (yet) widely recognized as being a problem. Sometimes the explanation of how a product works is dubious. Sometimes the way it is marketed reeks of “snake oil”. Sometimes the reviews singing its praises go over the top. While these things will certainly put off some prospective purchasers, they do not negate the audible results that are there for anyone open to hearing them.
Those components, cables, accessories and tweaks that SUCCEED at lowering the noise floor, can, and do, dramatically increase sound quality. Sometimes the type of “noise” dealt with is controversial, or not (yet) widely recognized as being a problem. Sometimes the explanation of how a product works is dubious. Sometimes the way it is marketed reeks of “snake oil”. Sometimes the reviews singing its praises go over the top. While these things will certainly put off some prospective purchasers, they do not negate the audible results that are there for anyone open to hearing them.
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- 66 posts total
I agree that lowering the noise floor can pay huge dividends. For those interested in super quiet amplification but do not want to go Class D, try one of Linear Tube Audio's (David Berning designed) ZOTL amps. I got a chance to try one in my system and it was amazing how silent the background was--not just "for a tube amp"--but quieter than any amp I've ever had in my system. |
" Wouldn’t that be a moot point if one is using an integrated amp?" gdhal, Not really, since almost all integrated amps just have a built in active preamp section. However, integrated amps do eliminate the need for external cables that are required between separate preamps and amps that may help keep the noise floor a bit lower. dodgelum, A very quiet tube amp really is unusual, congrats on finding one. I’ve always loved the sound of a good tube preamp or amp in a system but realized they had to add something to the signal (even order harmonic distortion?) to flavor the sound like most do. Whether this added something adds to the noise floor of a system, I’m not certain. Tim |
If your active preamp is a "large source of noise," you really need a better preamp. Why, if you go passive (no noise) and you have more than enough gain without an active pream in 90% of systems. Even the "best" active preamps add their own noises, and as well amplify any input external noise. Cheers George |
gdhal Wouldn’t that be a moot point if one is using an integrated amp? The OP tommylion uses a 2A3 poweramp with an input impedance of 100kohm and very high gain at just 500mV input for full wattage output. There is 2000mV (2v) or more available from any source these days, why add another gain stage with an active pre???. This is a perfect scenario for a passive preamp. Any active preamp no matter how expensive, is a backward step, not just in noise but also sound. http://www.divertech.com/asltulip.html Cheers George |
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