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Best Preamp and Amp combination, interesting finding!!!

Hi all,

Yesterday, I decided to conduct a very interesting experience using my amp and preamp combinations. In the interest of fair discussion and also avoiding brand war, please allow me to conceal the name of the amps and preamps, knowing that both amps and preamps came from the same manufactures. The combinations are as below: 

Combination 1 (C1): $3000 preamp + $1000 amp
Combination 2 (C2): $1000 preamp + $3000 amp.

I went back and forth between C1 and C2 several times with multiple people, using the same speakers and DAC. The volume of both C1 and C2 was adjusted to be equal using my Db meter. 
At the end of the experience, almost everyone including me prefers C1. Which is a higher-end preamp combined with the lower-end amp. 
I was surprised by that finding. I always thought that the amp has a greater impact to sound quality, but my experiment proved otherwise. If you have any similar experiences, please let me know. I would like to understand why it happens that way. Why the preamp has a greater impact on the overall sound quality comparing to the amp?
128x128viethluu
mesonto
77 posts
 
As far as electronics go, I completely concur. I also State not unlike the other fellow earlier on in this thread that the preamp is truly the heart of your stereo system.

And that the attenuator in the preamp is critical. 

In my system my preamp is about 2/3's the cost of my monoblicks.
phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
320 posts
 
Pre-amp is usually the heart of the audio system, every component is connected to it except the speaker. This usually can make or break a setup if not done correctly. The pre-amp will drive the amp correctly if it matches well.
jusam
125 posts
 
I have had some that I liked a great deal from Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, B.A.T., and others....but my kick start was the Yamaha B-2 and C-2....not the best, but they gave me a serious start to this wonderful obsession....and yes, the Yamaha units were driving a pair of DQ-10. 

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,386 posts
 
I have found that amp and preamp from the same manufacturer gives the best results
jkf011
270 posts
 
If legit this is a good analysis and, as the OP states, he has taken brand out of the equation. However, I've known this since I sold high end audio equipment in the '80s, that a preamp is always more important than the amp IF the amp is compatible, power-wise, with the speakers.  
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