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
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,420 posts
 
Grannyring,
Thank You for the offer. But I am a bit away from you - near Cleveland. I would be eager to know your system, in the first place. At least that will tell me why you felt your active would sound better in my system.

The next paragraph is for EVERYONE in general and not just you Grannyring.

I feel folks who come here for sincere audio discussions should post their system so that the other party can understand why the poster is so exited about his/her system. I think we all have gone through a certain phase of changes/upgrades, to arrive at what we like. So why not post your equipment here for others to see and then decide why the poster is exited about what he/she is recommending.
phusis's avatar
phusis
1,226 posts
 
I feel folks who come here for sincere audio discussions should post their system so that the other party can understand why the poster is so exited about his/her system.

Good call, Milpai.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,960 posts
 
have you heard all possible permutations/combinations of amp+preamps that exist in the world? If not, then it is simply YOUR view that actives are always better than passives. Folks have been very happy about TVC preamps, which are considered to be passives.

Of course I have not heard everything. But I did go to school and got taught engineering principles, and if you look at my posts you will see I was careful to be talking about PVCs and not TVCs. So as far as I am concerned, your comment is a strawman, as you are attacking an argument I did not raise.

However we can have that discussion if you like...
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,537 posts
 
I decided to pull my system for privacy and safety concerns I don't want to get into here. I used to have mine posted and had an "issue". Sorry.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,537 posts
 
Charles, I fully understand your point as you know. Yeah, I am still confident :)
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