High end stereo preamps? Worth it?

Hi-end preamps absolutely make a big difference. Sorry to inform you but I’ve found that a great preamp will sound much better than a very good preamp. Now the right question to ask, which are the great preamps.   You cannot go by price as that can be very
misleading. I personally found that the best way for me to find a top performing component was to ask die-hard friends of mine that been in this hobby for AT LEAST 30 YRS for their top picks. 

Ah the "great preamp vs no preamp" question.
So how can anything be better than zero distortion?  Its tough, but possible in one of three ways.

1. It adds a euphonic distortion that you like.. nothing wrong with this, its what a Piano's sounding board does.
2. Its gain allows other components to work within their ideal range
3. It provides needed impedance matching
So is not crazy, but in an otherwise well balanced and engineered system (huge caveat in real life) its a tall order
I use one. Of course i have prototypes stuffed everywhere :-)
G

Hi lowtubes, very interested in a few preamp tube refs. Thanks.



hi iitsjustme 
great comments of value not heard a lot and restores my faith that heavier spending will have a benefit.

The most direct connection from source to sound will give you the least distortion. Every time that I have simplified the signal path in my system, the sound has improved.Getting rid of an equalizer, simpler preamp, etc. 

If an integrated amp has the same circuitry as its separates, I can't see how it wouldn't sound better than separates of the same model level. You eliminate the interconnects.

If you're talking about a vinyl only system, the phono stage is more important than the preamp, which should be essentially a switching and volume box. I have heard of a phono stage that can be directly plugged into an amp with no other input options, It has a volume control on it with no remote. Simplicity and direct connection. I didn't want to spend that kind of investment (I think it's around $16K from Sutherland- which is what he uses), but that sounds like Utopia for a vinyl only guy like me.  

Is anyone aware of these types of components, and have you heard them, and are any available at a more reasonable price level? 

Hello emergingsole, I’ve been in this hobby coming on 30yrs and I’ve owned a ton of preamps, amps, speakers, cables, etc. So I’m coming from experience of buying a lot of components In search of great sound. Many time I’ve been swayed by reviewers and audiophiles along the way. At times a reviewer would give a component an excellent (A+) review, and rightfully so, the piece deserves it,  but in comparison to a better piece, I realized that the 1st A+ piece wasn’t as good as the reviewer claimed. Newer definitely does not mean it will be better. Anyone who says this doesn’t really understand this hobby.  I’m fortunate, that as I was owning many preamps throughout the years, I had hardcore “seasoned” audiophiles friends who helped me. I presently own 4 great preamps. To refer to one that I have now for about 8 yrs is a Audio Research SP11 Mk 11. This preamps is really a separator from the pack. It competes with stuff in the big $ range. I really didn’t want to mention a specific component because there are so many “reference” grade preamps other than the SP 11 that are floating around. The point is, you need to find the right one for you. Now in regards to the question, preamp or no preamp? I’ve found that a well designed preamp can compliment a system with dynamics and scale. But a “no preamp” setup works well for many that value purity and tonality. You decide what’s right for you. Best advice I can give, go to local audio club meetings. Make some new “seasoned” friends.