CD direct to amp vs active preamp

Another theorem: If you have all your sources with volume control all you will need is input selector that you can get from Bryston.

I ran my theta miles directly into my VT100MkII for almost 2 years first with balanced straightwire serenedes and now with purenote epsilon balanced cables. Speakers are Magnepan 2.5Rs I recently upgraded the speaker cable to purenote epsilon reference. Since I wanted to get back into vinyl (another story) I purchased an ARC LS16 and added it into the system. The sound is more dimensional with a more clearly defined soundstage using the pre-amp. Truthfully I had not expected to hear an improvement (fewer components in the chain the better), but that's what my ears tell me.

how do you control volume if you run cd direct? sorry for the newbie question.

Dear Rockhead,

Some CD players have built-in volume controls. These can be operated using knobs or buttons on the CD player or buttons on the CD players' remotes. Often the manufacturer will describe the volume control as digital or analog. Analog is better. Digital works by discarding some musical information to attenuate the volume. This can cause audible degradation in the sound. If your CD player doesn't have volume control capability, you need a preamp or a different CD player.

Sean, with your interest in recording, you should take a peek at the Z-Systems rdp-1 digital pre-amp/equalizer. While expensive at $5K, it's da bomb. Charlie