2. amps-preamps
  3. 1113473991

why does preamp improve sound quality?

I recently listened to a Mark Levinson no.390s CD processor directly connected to a pair of Quad II-forty five tube amps. When a matching Quad preamp (much cheaper than the Levinson) was placed between the Levinson and the amplifier, the sound improved dramatically even at moderate volume- it became much more clear and transparent. Why would this be the case? Wouldn't adding an extra piece of equipment add more distortion?
no_slouch
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
A good pre-amp doesn't improve the sound quality, it just does not degrade it as much as a lesser quality pre-amp.
Post removed 
aball
2,016 posts
 
I have tried going direct several times but having the preamp in the chain has always been better. Arthur
jond's avatar
jond
5,677 posts
 
A good preamp can improve the impedance matching between sourced and amp, and also give the music more body and life, primarily from extra gain. I've tried it both ways and have preferred a good preamp every time.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
pbowne
75 posts
 

I'm sorry if I'm not as clear on how impedance and other factors affect your situation. I've always thought that introducing the gain of the preamp between the two means that the amplifier has more power in reserve to accurately transmit the signal, with particularly better dynamics.

There would have to be more distortion introduced with the extra stage, but it sounds like there is more distortion when your power amp takes the whole load itself.
More to discover