2. amps-preamps
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Best Preamp - NO preamp... (?)

A few hours ago I decided to experiment and bypassed my highly regarded, excellent passive preamp and hooked up my PS Audio DSD DAC directly to the power amp.
There is no going back...
Every aspect of the sound has improved so dramatically that I'm simply blown away. I'm a bit shocked, playing CD after CD and I still can't believe it.
My phono stage has gain control as well, so it seems that from now on it will be disconnecting RCAs and plugging each in turn.
Since I usually do vinyl day or cd day (or week) anyway, the trouble seems totally worth it. Letting the cable settle in for a bit is not an issue.
Am I just crazy or are any of you doing the same?
Should I be concerned about damaging  the RCAs over time?
Thanks for your thoughts and experience. :-)
128x128ami
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
+ 1 🖒, I am of the opinion that if you need to add a preamp to make up for your speaker's deficiencies, you should be looking for better speakers, by ami. Amen brother 😎
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Dear ami,
Hi-Fi transparency can only be relevant to and very often at the price of tonal balance and dynamics. 
RE: What is "better"? that is something I can't argue with. If you like the specific distortion or the coloration that a component introduces, then by all means, go for it. I am on the search for "Hi-Fi" - transparency and not coloration. I am of the opinion that if you need to add a preamp to make up for your speaker's deficiencies, you should be looking for better speakers.

You can't be sure unless you compare the transparency of preamp vs. your source device directly to amp. The fact that you've chosen to use your source components directly instead of passive preamp speaks for itself that you like more active drive vs. anything else posters offered.
That's where simple math kills all the science behind.


tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,587 posts
 

Less parts does not necessarily mean better sound. If it did we would all be using the same minimal all-in-one system.  Reproducing recorded music is more complicated than that.

However, if you enjoy  the sound of your system without a preamp, that's what's right for you.

imaging1's avatar
imaging1
57 posts
 
It's been  that way 20 years ago for me and it's probably the same for many today. A DAC ( or CD player) directly into a power amp is the best route. People buying new DAC's today should look for the best one they can afford and make sure it has a simple gain attenuators on it and correct matching ( sensitivity) to your amplifier; case closed!

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Tomcy6,
Agree! In theory "less parts" should equal better sound. In reality it doesn't always work out that way. Must be determined individually case by case.
An absolute "case closed" rarely if ever applies to audio/sound quality issues.
Charles,
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