The Best Preamp is no Preamp?
So recently I've discovered the possibility of completely removing my preamp from my rig. I've never heard or considered this before, so much audio tradition... But in going directly from DAC to amplifier the sound quality is absolutely incredible, instantly had me grinning. Using music server to Chord M Scaler to Chord Qutest (cut out Marantz SR5015) to go directly to dual Emotiva XPA-DR1 monoblocks, to GR Research's 24 strand speaker wire to Magnepan 1.7i's. Only difference is running volume on server vs Marantz remote, sound quality is the biggest jump I've ever heard with any gear.
Have you guys had experience cutting out the preamp from your rig? What's your thoughts?
Intellectually, removing a piece of gear from the chain must remove distortion. Yet, so many experienced audiophiles try passive and return to active preamps because they “sound better” in their systems. Thus, the only explanation for this is that the brain “likes” certain types and amounts of distortion. A more complex topic is how distortion from different parts of the chain interact.
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@tangramca There is more than one explanation! If you've ever heard differences between interconnect cables then you know that they can color the sound too. A good linestage can vastly reduce this coloration (on account of its lower output impedance). If the linestage is doing its job properly you might not hear any significant difference between interconnect cables at all.
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I have owned many preamps most all types as well as integrated etc. And it's about synergy some systems just sound better with active over passive or direct. You can get more impact dynamics and overall better sound quality if your system requires an active over passive. At this time I tend to prefer tube preamplification over my solid-state or passives or direct DAC to the amp. But as I mentioned it depends on the system after all we listen to systems, not components. |
