2. amps-preamps
  3. 151321-68265

Should I need a pre amp for one source?

I certainly don’t need one but you know usually sources usually sound better with a pre amp.
I just purchased a Cary DMS 600 streamer/player/dac.  It replaced an Aurender A10 player and a Linear Tube MZ 2.0s pre-amp with all the upgrades and the Cary sounds much better than the combo just as a stand-alone .
i have always had pre’s in my system with streamers/ Dacs  because the digital volume controls usually leave a lot to be desired 
The Cary seems to get it right. But you know....  was thinking of maybe a passive volume control?  Just don’t want to spend 3K on a pre> upgraded power cord and another set of interconnects. 
Please talk me off the edge of the rabbit hole

~Russ


128x128benzman
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
The question is whether you want a volume control or music? Those that find the right preamp don’t let it out of their grasp.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
benzman OP
I just like to leave the digital sources at 100 and let the pre take care
of volume while increasing the voltage.

Good idea that way you don’t run the risk of bit stripping if the digital domain volume control is under 75% of full. (But if higher than 75% I would still go direct for the very best).

The Cary with it’s volume up full is 3v available at 200ohms, all you need is a good passive as tgrisham mentioned,  the Odyssey only needs 1v in to make it clip full output, so no need for anymore gain, noise, and coloration/distortion that an active preamp brings to the equation.

Remember what Nelson Pass said: (this’ll get a few backs up again)

Nelson Pass,

We’ve got lots of gain in our electronics. More gain than some of us need or want. At least 10 db more.

Think of it this way: If you are running your volume control down around 9 o’clock, you are actually throwing away signal level so that a subsequent gain stage can make it back up.

Routinely DIYers opt to make themselves a “passive preamp” - just an input selector and a volume control.

What could be better? Hardly any noise or distortion added by these simple passive parts. No feedback, no worrying about what type of capacitors – just musical perfection.

And yet there are guys out there who don’t care for the result. “It sucks the life out of the music”, is a commonly heard refrain (really - I’m being serious here!). Maybe they are reacting psychologically to the need to turn the volume control up compared to an active preamp.



Cheers George
benzman's avatar
benzman OP
407 posts
 
SYS looks good but no remote. The Ldr passives look great but again climbing back up in price. 
anything around 500-700 with a remote?
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
benzman OP
The Ldr passives look great but again climbing back up in price.
Mines only $525aud = ($354usd) posted, and that’s with the price rise, I still think and been told it’s way to cheap.

If your able to use a soldering iron you can adapt this remote volume control to it for only $24usd.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Assembeld-Remote-volume-board-HIFI-preamp-motor-ALPS-100K-potentiometer-L165-11/142347424572

Cheers George
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,883 posts
 
schiit saga s passives and remote.$299.00.
More to discover