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High end stereo preamps? Worth it?

So we know the higher end preamps don’t include dacs and phono stages.  Highly desirable noise free devices.  I hear wonderful things about these preamps, Luxman, Accuphase, Audio Research, etc.

Are they as good as represented? 


emergingsoul
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
There isn't a preamp that's built into a dac that's even close to a good high-end preamp.
That's because they're far more transparent and dynamic, because there is no preamp, and all the volume controlling is done in the digital domain, just have to watch out for "bit stripping" using it at or above 75%.

Cheers George
chorus
976 posts
 
In a blind test no preamp can improve upon no preamp.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
In a blind test no preamp can improve upon no preamp.
That one needs to be etched in stone, as another great audio saying.
Just like "it all starts at the source, get that right and your almost there" (Ivor Tiefenbrun Linn Sondek)

Cheers George
fastninja12's avatar
fastninja12
104 posts
 
Give Prima Luna  a look.  It was a noticeable immediately.  So much so, I thought there may have been something wrong in the preamp it was replacing...Wasn’t the case, It just sounded wonderful...
sandthemall
544 posts
 
I noticed a difference going from a NAD preamp to a Don Sachs. A little in the dynamics and a little in the delicacy. Put it together and tou get a little better sound.

And I can vouch for Primaluna. Running the Don Sachs into a Primaluna Evo400 power amp is a great combo. 

Totally worth it if you have other good things in the chain.
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