Lowering the noise floor
If your active preamp is a "large source of noise," you really need a better preamp. Why, if you go passive (no noise) and you have more than enough gain without an active pream in 90% of systems. Even the "best" active preamps add their own noises, and as well amplify any input external noise. Cheers George |
gdhal Wouldn’t that be a moot point if one is using an integrated amp? The OP tommylion uses a 2A3 poweramp with an input impedance of 100kohm and very high gain at just 500mV input for full wattage output. There is 2000mV (2v) or more available from any source these days, why add another gain stage with an active pre???. This is a perfect scenario for a passive preamp. Any active preamp no matter how expensive, is a backward step, not just in noise but also sound. http://www.divertech.com/asltulip.html Cheers George |
My system actually exhibits a lower noise floor now after adding tubes to the system. Originally I had only two 12AU7s in my line stage and all was well. After having my SACD player modified by Dan Wright and company, which added two 5687s and a 5AR4 rectifier to the mix things are actually quieter when the digital source is selected than before. I feel secure in giving some of the credit to my PS Audio P5 power regenerator. 2.0% distortion in, .1% out! |
Proper grounding is another way to lower the noise floor. I just got a GutWire Ultimate Grounding Cable, and hooked it up to my pre. I noticed an immediate difference. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/gutwire-ultimate-grounding-cable |
