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
ja_kub_sz's avatar
ja_kub_sz OP
275 posts
 
@vladedelman and @hshifi

Thanks for the help! DAC volume is low, my streamer and preamp are managing the volume controls (Rotel at 50% volume and Zenith/Squeeze Box doing the rest), honestly I really agree with you all on letting it warm up and needing to leave it on (which I haven't done). So I'm gonna start there and I really think, just as you said, that I need to swap in and out a different preamp to try. So I'm looking into that also.

I have about 55 days to try this, but honesty I might try to get a couple of other preamps and amps to do a side by side by side test over the next two weeks.

I have a little plan, and gonna see if time wise I can pull it off, if so I'll have a pretty cool preamp-amp shoot out taking place at my home.

Can't wait to see my wifes face when it happens šŸ˜†
erik_squires
16,901 posts
 
I'm not a big believer in cables, except in making things sound worse.

If you got new fancy cables consider swapping those out.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,394 posts
 
The rotes is not good at all , for your money send it backĀ 
buy the $899 Schiit vacuum tube preamp with excellent resistiveĀ 
volume attenuator , not cheap $15 Alps volume pot thst many useĀ 
and Rob detail , the Schiit preamp is very dependableĀ 
and tubes add to soundstage image depth man6 very good write ups , cables are what ? Very importantĀ 
Wireworld makes excellen5 quality, value quality per $$dollarĀ 
cables ,and for th3 record if running Ethernet most importantĀ 
Sonic difference is from Ethernet switch to streamer , wire world
star light exceptional performance value ,Ethernet cable.and I have tried a bunch .I am putting the platinum 8 in this space soon though but a bit $$ Ā with 20% off not too bad , : and Ethernet regen from uptone audio , no šŸ§  er Ā many excellent reviews for $640 šŸ‘
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,579 posts
 
"...So you're not a believer in the "there's no preamp like no preamp" saying?..."

The real saying is: The preamp is the heart of a system. But it's got to be a good preamp.Ā 
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,499 posts
 
If ALMARG was around, he wold have checked the impedance for the amp and pre-amp and would have come up with a recommendation. I think that would most likely be the reason. Try to look up those numbers and see if that is what the issue is.
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