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
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Great detective work George! You must have much free time on your hands down under. I'm too busy to comb through your replies, though I'm sure they are all business related.

Obviously, either my moniker was highjacked, or I was high at the time. The time frame is what throws me, I would have guessed that all of my passive experiences were well before 2005. Too many toys, not enough time nor money.

So now you have Bill backed into a corner. He either has to come out and say your LSA is awesome, or you can come out and say "I told you so".
It's a win-win for you. Well played George.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
George- It's call hyperbole:
hy·per·bo·le
hīˈpərbəlē/
noun
noun: hyperbole; plural noun: hyperboles

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


Your right Swampwalker.

My aim was originally trying to get the OP of this thread to do, was to go direct with his PS Audio DSD into his amps, with no any mention from me of my own product.

Others seem to like to bring it up as a target. Being 6'2" 240lb I don't usually back down from much, but to save the OP's thread I will cease any further retaliation.

Cheers George
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,534 posts
 
I am 6' 4" and 215 with a shaved bald head that makes me look a little reptilian. That may cause very few to back down!

The Lightspeed is indeed one of the very best buys in all of audio. In my current set up I can find very little fault and love the unit. In fact I liked it so much I decided to try and make it work even better in my rig.

I removed the LSA from its chassis and inserted the board directly into my Yamamoto dac. Yes, the output of the dac feeds the LSA board directly using very high quality silver/gold wire. I bypassed two sets of RCAs and an IC this way. I then mounted the volume control to the front of the dac.

The sound is nothing short of outstanding and pure. The dac is solid state and stays at room temp at all times so the LSA components are always happy.

So I now have a wonderful Yamamoto dac with built in LS Attenuator.
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