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How important is the pre-amp?

Hello all,

Genuine request here for other's experiences.

I get how power amps can make really significant changes to the sound of a system. And of course speakers have an even bigger effect. And then there is the complicated relationship between the speaker and power amp. But I wonder about pre-amps.

In theory a well designed preamp should just act as a source switch and volume control. But does it add (or ruin) magic? Can a pre-amp color the sound? Alter pace and timing? Could you take a great sounding system and spoil it with the wrong preamp? Stereophile once gushed (while reviewing a preamp that cost as much as a car) that the preamp was the heart of the system, setting the tone of everything. Really? Some people don't even bother with a preamp, feeding their DACs straight into the power amp. Others favor passive devices, things without power. If one can get a perfectly good $2K preamp, why bother with 20K?

What your experiences been?
rols
scottscottsdale
103 posts
 
knotscott nailed it.  I cannot think of any way to say it better.  

In my limited experience, going from a decent AVR to a similarly priced stereo amp made a clear and present difference—for the better.  Just have everything in balance.  
psf4972
47 posts
 

As noted above, transformers seem key. After ten years’ pleasure from a valve phono-line stage preamp I ordered a TVC yesterday after a months trial in my system. With high efficiency loudspeakers and an SET listening to LP’s and FM radio, stripping away the many feet of wire, Audio Note caps, resistors, valves, and mains electricity of an active pre has effected greatly more clarity and presence. Omitting all that charged material, I can enjoy the effects of less noise, not least, startling delicacy of sound. Made entirely by a valve amplifier manufacturer that winds its own (copper) transformers and silver internal wiring, this unit seems very well designed (Audion. I have no connection with them). It offers very nearly the weight, huge soundstage and all the colour of sound of my valve pre. I wouldn’t go back to a powered device. It took me a month to decide. I heard it in the first half minute.


daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1
638 posts
 
Streaming sounded like the best way to go, as I was getting my system going.  I was trying to watch spending.  My preamp was failing.  So I connected the streamer to DAC then direct to the amp.  How creative, I thought.  Well, I didn't realize the digital volume was cutting bits.  So with 100 dB speakers, I thought an active preamp would make my volume control run on the lower third.  I currently have a tube buffer.  Greatly improved vs the direct connection.  The preamp is a Tubes4HiFi SP12.  A solder joint and I can make it active.  I think it has 5dB gain.  I have not tried this version yet.  Would this cause problems?  I have a Pass XA25 with horn speakers(Crites).
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cbrents73's avatar
cbrents73
152 posts
 
The preamp IS the heart and soul of a system - it’s the driver in the car. The driver puts the car in gear, controls the steering and direction, and controls the throttle making the engine do what it needs to do to run the car. This is all the functions of a preamp in a sound system.
It drives the system! It has to accept and manage a wide array of sources; Turntable, CD and/or BluRay player, Streamer, Cable/Satellite Box, etc., allowing you to select between all of those sources, and has to control what the amplifier does with your speakers. It’s gain, balance, treble/bass, dynamics, it controls all of those things between the sources and the amp.
Without a good preamp, it would be a lot like putting a kid who just got their driver’s license behind the wheel of a race car. If you can’t manage the sources well, that’s like not knowing what gear to be in. If you can’t control what the amp is doing, it’s like not controlling the throttle, which you’re likely to blow the engine and burn the tires along with not being able to handle the steering. That’s much like not getting a good image between your speakers because you can’t control the balance and not being able to fully handle what the amp is doing to the speakers where it can sound distorted or likely blow your speakers. I hope that’s not confusing and gives you the direction you need?
Good luck in your quest!
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