2. amps-preamps
  3. 168746-161963

New Preamplifier Testing (Poor sound)

Looking for help...

I got a new preamplifier to replace my integrated amplifier, but the sound is extremely underwhelming. Biggest issues are sound distinction and clarity (sounds dull) and field depth (sounds narrow/flat) with less depth and width regarding the sound field when listening to stored digital music.

Old set up:
Innuos Zenith -> (USB) Gustard X26 Pro -> (XLR) Cambridge Azur 851a -> (RCA) Cambridge Azur 851w -> KEF LS50 Meta's and Kube 12b subwoofer.

New set up:
Innuos Zenith -> (USB) Gustard X26 Pro -> (XLR) Rotel 1590MKii Preamp -> (XLR) Cambridge Azur 851w -> KEF LS50 Meta's and Kube 12b subwoofer.

I'm really surprised this new preamplifier was such a drop off in sound quality compared to my older, cheaper integrated amp, but wondering if there are any tests I could do to maybe change something to better figure out if its the preamp, or rather something I'm doing. Looking at all the extra digital inputs in the Rotel that my 851a doesn't have makes me think that maybe the 851a is just a more adept component at passing along my DAC's signal, where the Rotel is geared towards using it's internal DAC.

The Rotel is run in a "Tone Bypass" mode via the XLR connections to bypass the internal DAC.

Just wondering why the Rotel would choke off the sound so much while the older integrated amp make things sound so deep and bright when paired with the power amp?

A friend suggested running my DAC straight to my power amp and see if the sound was back to old (or at least better).

Any other suggestions I should try before I send the preamplifier back?
ja_kub_sz
ghdprentice
8,080 posts
 
Make sure you have at least 200 hours of play on it. It may improve in sound for over 400 hours. It is unlikely it will not sound better than your old one when broken in.

iI is very unlikely running your DAC output into your amp will sound good. It is in vary rare instances with extremely compatible equipment will that sound better.
ja_kub_sz's avatar
ja_kub_sz OP
275 posts
 
@ghdprentice 

So you're not a believer in the "there's no preamp like no preamp" saying?

I laughed when my buddy said it, but I'm kinda wondering myself with this one.
sns
4,020 posts
 
I'd consider Cambridge to Rotel sideways move more than upgrade. Dac direct can be preferable to some preamps. IME, high quality active preamp is way to go. Integrated could be good or not, some are nothing but amps with passive volume control. Still, I'd rather have so so integrated with passive volume control or stand alone passive pre vs. lower quality active preamp. With cheaper active preamp you get undesired colorations, forego this with dac straight in, passive volume in integrated or stand alone passive pre.
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,996 posts
 
So you're not a believer in the "there's no preamp like no preamp" saying?

Nor am I. Sixty days is plenty of time for break in. Leave the system running for 4-5 days. Solid state is safe to do so usually. Thats the best way when in a time crunch. 
yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 
I have the Gustard X26 Pro and it has some issues running into an amp direct. I actually got a replacement under warranty for it. The second unit  has been mostly good so far but there are still some minor gremlins DAC direct to amp. Luckily for me I hate DAC direct to amp so I have tried a few preamps with the Gustard.

- Topping pre90
- Benchmark HPA4
- CODA 07x

They have no issue with the Gustard but the amp connected to them did. The HPA4 and CODA 07x was great with all amps. The Topping pre90 was not good with 2 amps and excellent with the Benchmark AHB2. I was told that the bad sound on one of the amps was likely an impedance mismatch between the pre and amp. By bad sound I mean a listless flat sound. The other bad sounding amp combo was not bad sound but too much gain.

Just some observations the may help you.

BTW - I have the KEF LS50 + KC62 sub + Topping pre90 + Topping D90se DAC + Benchmark AHB2. It is a very nice sounding system. If the Gustard X26 Pro was not so big I would have gotten a second X26 Pro.
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