How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?

Did I miss anything?

@phomchick  I assume the question is rhetorical, since you and I had an exchange earlier on this thread that relates to your post. To answer it directly though, if in the context of your last post, then 'yes' (BTW, did you try that test I suggested?).

The reason to use an active line stage is to reduce coloration. The coloration can be caused by the cables and the math that derives therefrom (bandwidth limitations, increased output impedance of the source and thus the impedance driving the amplifier).

Gain may not be needed, but buffering the input and output of the volume control so that the source and amp see a constant impedance is. In this way the setting of the volume control may not also act like a sort of tone control.

One way an active line section is handy, especially if a digital source is involved, is how the volume control is used. The technique is to run the volume control of the digital source all the way up, and then use the volume control on the active line section. Especially if the volume control is digital, this has the effect of increasing resolution.

BTW I'm pretty sure that the Oppo uses an analog volume system, but it is chip based and chip based remote volume systems can have their own set of issues. But IMO they are better than using a digital control.

Anthony (Clio09), yes, it was clear to me as to whom you were attacking, but thanks for making sure.

I do think, however, that the explanation Paul McGowan stated is technically plausible, and could very well support the notion that in **some** cases inserting an active preamp between a power amp and a source component containing a DAC could result in performance that is objectively as well as subjectively better than a direct connection. And likewise with respect to my own hypothesis that I presented in conjunction with his.

Best regards,
-- Al

honashagen OP58 posts05-25-2018 9:42pmFrom Oppo tech:

The BDP-105 players will not lose resolution since they are 32-bit DACs. So they are the ideal solution if you want to go direct to an amplifier.

This is from a discussion I had with Thorsten Loesch the designer/owner of the very hiend digital company AMR digital.

" Turn down the volume even the tiniest bit using the digital volume control and the sound quality to a massive hit.
I have tried many times, the minimum attenuation in the digital domain possible seems to destroy the sound quality of any true high end DAC I have owned. This includes using PC software that claims to have a super duper digital volume control. "

I and others I know also Wadia states the same that you can go down a little to 75% of full, maybe Thorsten has bat ears.

Cheers George

As I sit here listening with no preamp, it seems like common sense would tell you that if a preamp alters the sound from the source in any way it's really a processor of some type. Right? 

"Any! active stage/s introduces noise hum and distortions, increase their gain and you increase those as well." 

Nonsense. I don’t care who said this. Active circuits have long been proven to be less noisy than a simple resistor for proper buffering and volume control applications. Why? they have both high input impedance to precisely preserve input signal and low output impedance in order to drive whatever follows.