2. amps-preamps
  3. 127815-90127

To Pre or not to Pre? Here is my take

I remember reading in many places that the best preamp was no preamp.
Finally in a position to test that theory
Equipment is Esoteric sa-50 player, audio research ls preamp, bat vk600 power amp.
So I let everything warm up for an hour or so and then played some Halestorm through the system, for anybody who is not familiar with Mz. Hale, she is similar to a smoother Bonnie Tyler with more range! Her band has some great bass guitar and drum work as well so a nice little workout.
After 5 or 6 tracks I changed over to powering the bat direct from the esoteric using the same cardas xlr interconnects.
It only took a couple of tracks to confirm
I just did not like this sound, bass was much thinner, soundstage not as wide, vocals not as smokey for want of a better description of Mz. Hales style.
Hooked the ls2 back and joy was restored!

What does this tell me?
That absolutely the ls preamp is adding its own sonic signature to the mix, in theory that equates to probably a more "dirty" sound but to me this was the sound I preferred.
Now obviously no 2 people listening to the same gear are going to hear the same thing, its impossible!
However playing MY music on MY gear the sound going through the ls2 preamp was the sound that I wanted to hear, end of story.
Oh trust me its not just value perception, I sort of WANTED the sound to be better without the ls2 preamp as I could have then sold it and spent the money elsewhere! 
I know there will be lots of people who can spout theories to prove I am full of it but the only judge of the sound of your own system worth worrying about is yourself!
uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
To make it even more subjective, the preference may also depend on the type of music played through the system.

Exactly!
I listen to rock music only and just found the direct path too cold and sterile for my taste
I know I am listening to some type of sonic inferiority according to theory but tbh, I really do not care!
rspyder
103 posts
 
This is one of those discussions where there is no right general answer only individual taste.  I'll briefly share my experience.  A friend of mine has an MSB Analog DAC with the preamp/volume module.  Awesome DAC by the way.  I played it by-passing my ARC Ref 10 preamp and using the ARC by-passing the MSB pre.  What struck me first was the difference between the two set-ups.  I have always believed and also experiened the adage that "the pre is where all the damage is done."  The MSB Analog pre section is very good.  Wide soundstage and excellent resolution, particualry on the lower octaves.  However, it could not match the depth, detail, blume and densness of the ARC.  Also the ARC just made subtlties and nuances clearly more real.  Lastly, as one would expect, there was more air around everything with the ARC.  So my taste favoured running the source signal through a very good pre.

Ray
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
The more and more I hear other peoples observations with ARC, the more I feel it is a pre I should never get rid of! Maybe upgrade it or even a newer ARC but for my ears this ARC tube sound just sounds well right for want of a better word.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
uberwaltz


Before you spend big bucks on a newer AR pre on a hope it will be better than what you have now, try this with the volume on the Esoteric full up or if it has the fixed output. For $49, and it’s refundable as well.
http://schiit.com/products/sys

Or the passive or tube one, also refundable
http://schiit.com/products/saga.


Or the balanced, passive tube active, or solid state active.
http://schiit.com/products/freya


Cheers George
bassdude
508 posts
 
As I've posted elsewhere on Audiogon, I compared both the Creek OBH 22 SS Passive Preamp, and the ARC Ref 3 Tube Preamp.  I got the Passive Pre, initially, because I wanted to eliminate the preamp, but retain a remote volume control.  

The Passive Preamp did seem to offer a bit greater clarity... but... the Ref 3 Preamp seemed to have almost as much clarity, with a slight bit more richness, warmth, and liquid body... and... perhaps a bit larger soundstage and air.  These differences were pretty small, but enough for my wife to quickly decide she preferred the sound with the Ref 3 Preamp - called it more real, and life-like.

However, many would be very happy with the Passive Preamp, especially considering the premium price of the Ref 3 Preamp (10-15 times the Passive Preamp) to produce a very slight improvement in sound.  
More to discover