2. amps-preamps
  3. 1426779273

Is my preamp useless?

I enjoy my current system, which is built around a BAT VK-52SE preamp. I listen mostly to digital, via a Bryston BDP-2 player into a PS Audio DSD. I also enjoy vinyl on my VPI Classic/Dynavector/Sutherland 20-20 combo. Like most of us, I’m usually on the upgrade path. For me, the next component to upgrade would be the BAT preamp from a 52SE to a 53SE. But something occurred to me. I don’t listen loud. The gain on my PSA DSD is set to less than 100 and the BAT preamp is usually set between -20 and -10. So if my volume control is never set in the + range, is my preamp doing ANYTHING other than attenuating the volume and serving as a multi-input switch? Is all that Super Tube, single gain stage, zero feedback, high energy storage circuitry a waste of money?

Don’t get me wrong. I am very pleased with the sounds I hear. But if my pre isn’t doing anything, then I’d be better off to sell it and get a very simple passive attenuator, wouldn’t I? If that’s the case, what brands and models should I listen to?
Thanks for any advice.
slanski62
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"The OP has way too much gain as he has to lower the PSA volume (which could then be bit stripping), but is also in the negative volume on the BAT volume, which means it's not pre-amplifying but de-amplifying, which a total waste of source signal strength. It's like putting attenuators networks on a MC cartridge and then having to amplifying again, noise and all."

The BAT preamp lets you adjust gain for each input separately, as well as globally. So if you have a source with high gain that doesn't allow the volume to go positive, all you have to do is lower the gain on that one input the source is connected to.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Grannyring,
Yes, integrity, that's exactly why I chose that word in my earlier post responding to George. The quote of Nelson Pass that George often cites does make sense and applies to "specific" situations. It doesn't fit all situations. If Pass felt passive were the ultimate solution, I believe he would devote his talent in that direction. Instead he put considerable effort,time and his exceptional talents towards "active" preamps. I don't believe he's playing games and making them to satisfy unknowing audio dummies. No, he builds them because he apparently feels they offer the best choice for superior sound quality, this defines his integrity and sincerity IMO. As we all can agree on, it's up to each listener to make fhis individual choice. Bill, your chef/fine dining analogy was a good one.
Charles,
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,327 posts
 
It's not really accurate to draw a conclusion about whether Nelson Pass thinks active preamps are the best solution for most systems just because the company with his name offers that type of product. At one point point Pass Labs offered an active loudspeaker, but now they only offer passive loudspeakers. Does that mean he really thinks passive designs are superior, or is it a reflection of marketplace realties? I don't know and only Mr. Pass and his cohorts can truly respond. Integrity can be expressed by making a high quality product that people want to buy. If you look at the vast number of products Mr. Pass has been associated with it's apparent that he is very flexible at doing that.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,621 posts
 
The point is he and his company advertise these SOTA preamps as best, the point is not that he makes them.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Onhwy61,
Granted only Nelson Pass can fully explain his chosen product pathway decisions, not us. Do you really think he believes a passive is the best sonic solution and just builds actives for their popularity? Possible, but not probable IMO. Again if you personally feel passive/direct is better, no problem with that as it's your call. My own encounters say otherwise, that's just me. Choice is wonderful.
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