2. amps-preamps
  3. 1038091302

How can an active preamp possibly help?

When I pipe the line level out from my CD player straight into my variable gain amp, I must turn down my amp from unity gain lest I blow out my ears. If this is the case, what value can an active preamp possibly be adding? The signal from the CD player is already "too loud" for the amp.

This leads me to question why an active preamp is needed at all. Switching and volume I understand, but can someone please explain how an active preamp amplifying the signal before it gets to the amp helps the finished product sound better (especially in light of my it's-already-too-loud example).

Thanks!
matt8268
sean
6,231 posts
 
Some digital sources do not output enough signal to drive various amps to full power. As such, one can run into a lack of dynamics. Adding another gain stage takes care of that problem. Sean
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foreverhififc85
58 posts
 
Are you saying you're going straight line level to your amp? Does your cd player have a digital volume control for varying the gain output? Or does your amp have volume control capability?
Either way, I'VE NEVER heard ANY DIGITAL VOLULME CONTROL, or passive set up, which has proper dynamic capabilities! The sound is always less dynamic, and seems flatter over all! If you're listening to Rock, heavy dynamics, Home Theater, or other, the sound is always not as strong!
Anyone who thinks this isn't correct, needs to just hook the 6 channel out of their DVD player dirrectly into their 6 channel amp(or whatever) and process the sound in their DVD player, with no preamp/processor involved!!! You'll get WIMPY, LACKLUSTER, DYNAMICLESS soundquality everytime!..NEVER SOUNDS AS GOOD!
I've come across a ton of audiophiles that are two channel buffs, who insist on just going ANALOG out of their dvd, and into their fav 2 channel preamp! Or guy's who go out of their CD player with volume control, dirrect into their amps! This has it's drawbacks in the form of weak dyanamics and bass comparatively. You couple that with the fact that the vast majority of guy's like this use speakers that are very polite, laid back, and dynamically challenged passive auiphile speakers, and you get anything but dynamic transparancy!...EGAD!
So, if you do have some sort of volume control from either your cd player or your amp, you're still not getting the dynamic capabilities you're intitled to, I find.
Good luck
garfish
1,840 posts
 
A tubed pre-amp can/does produce much more natural sounding music than CD direct to amp, IMO. My 6 tube pre-amp adds liquidity, warmth, body, and richness, and all these things are properties of live music-- and I've played guitars-- both acoustic and amplified for 40 years.

Soundstaging may be an artifact of stereo imaging, but I like it, and I like it a LOT, and tubes do it better than anything else I've heard. But on balance, it really comes down to personal preferences. I like tubed pre-amps. Cheers. Craig
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