2. amps-preamps
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Does a modern pre-amp sound better than an old one?

I have had a Primare P30 Processor for 17 years, using it control 5 Genelec active monitors and 2 REL subwoofers. It still has nearly all the functionality that I need, except for room correction. Connections are balanced. I am wondering whether it might be worthwhile to upgrade to something more modern, with a budget of around £2,000. Would, for example, the Marantz AV8805 give me a noticeably better sound? Most of it´s other features (13 outs, Atmos etc.) would be redundant. Thanks
garbo
gill_92's avatar
gill_92
28 posts
 
It depends, not always true that new products outperform the old ones.
I heard several vintage stuff, of course, all in perfect electrical conditions, destroy modern audio stuff.
For example, take the AGI 511, it has long been regarded as an unsurpassed preamplifier.
I had one that I foolishly sold, and I can confirm that its Phono section has literally surpassed tons of modern phono amps I had.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
Thanks. As the processor includes a DAC, I would like to include the question of whether DAC´s have improved over the last 20 years. If so, should one invest in a modern DAC and place that before the old pre-amp?

Ag insider logo xs@2x
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
I used a Primare SP 30 for years, and thought it would be tough to beat. It finally died, and I bought an Arcam AV 9 preamp-processor (used, for $700), and it sounds better than the SP 30. My Esoteric DV-60 uni-player went TU, and I bought a nice, used Arcam DV 139 uni-player, and it stomped all over what the Esoteric could do.

I would say yes, DACs have improved.
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