2. amps-preamps
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amplifier with volume control

I began my journey with an active preamp then switched to a placette passive which was more transparent but sucked the life out of my system (but I was using longer interconnects to monoblocks).  I have one source (a computer with a usb dac) and am now running direct to my amplifier which sounds much better than my previous 2 configurations. I am using a digital volume control and my thought is to change to an amp with a built in volume control - like an audion - or have a tech install one on my amplifier. My question is how is an amp with a volume control different - if at all- from a passive (simple pot in a box) connected with short interconnects to an amplifier?       thank you
majorc
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,195 posts
 
Buy a very good dac with a great true Analog volume control 
like in the Bricasti dacs, I have the M3 with streamer board 
and even vs any $6k preamp out there you would be hard pressed  just to = it.
bobthenailer's avatar
bobthenailer
41 posts
 
Buy a good quality stepped attenuator and a project box, 2 pairs of female RCA jacks and build your own. 
speakermaster
738 posts
 
There were a lot of vintage amps built with volume controls on them and a number of thx amps allow you to vary the gain to the amp. When you avoid the pre amp and extra stage it can be a good thing but at the same time you will find out that a well designed pre amp will actually outperform a passive circuit with any type of dynamic music, something is lost going all passive.
raysmtb1's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
raysmtb1
801 posts
 
https://sites.google.com/view/pine-tree-audio/devices/sp-2-dual-source-passive-preamp
georgehoffmann60
58 posts
 
Like audioman58 I have a dac with an active volume (tube line stage): Monarchy nm24. I run my TT through the second input of my amp: LTA z10. Though marketed as a power amp it has a line stage with a volume control for the second input, so I guess it would count as an integrated. As have other owners of this amp, I’ve found it sounds better without a preamp (because it already has one built in). That said the Townsend passive seems excellent, so there’s many ways to skin the cat. 
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