No preamp in system


 

I want to point out how the perception of our equipment changes over time. I’m getting so use to the sound of my system without a preamp (which is out for repair) to the point that I’m accepting it as good sound.  It reveals something about our hobby.  When we get new equipment we often say “let it break in.”  And lo and behold, it sounds much better over time.  Is it that were really fooling ourselves, and that it’s simply a matter of us getting use to it?

Just food for thought.

rvpiano

@OP. The best test is when you reinstall your preamp.  Perhaps your preamp has been limiting the sound of your system so the system actually does sound better without it. Or when you reinstall the preamp, maybe the sound will be better than with no preamp.

A good preamp is far better then without one  especially if it has a substantial power supplies for dynamics  soundstage stability and imaging under Loud dynamic swings ,also having a very good resistive ladder volume control and relays 

night and day better then those low quality Alps,or Bourn volume pots for low level detail and micro dynamics .  There are no short cuts to getting the most out of your Audio system.

@audioman58 

There are no short cuts to getting the most out of your Audio system.
 

Amen

There are no $hort cuts to getting the mo$t out of your Audio $ystem. 

@rvpiano ...I've been running 'pre-less' for years running sources to a matrix that loops in a ss 32 band eq with a parametric bands....does the room eq to flat.
Tweak to taste and amp it.....
Got gifted with a nice pre, but looping it into the maze will Be Amazing....  Haven't owned one since '90...this one, more in/outs than a subway station... *L*

@audioman58 .....I try to knock 2 out of those 3.....spend those on the not-so delightful stuff 'cept foodstuffs and exotica...  ;)