The Best Preamp is no Preamp?

I've always used the CD-direct-to-amp as a sanity check for evaluating how a new preamp sounds.  The direct is always more neutral, but lacks a certain "something".  A lesser preamp will clearly sound worse than direct, but a good preamp will tend to sound bigger, wider, & more dynamic.  I've had a couple pre's that were switchable between active & passive, and I found it interesting to switch between modes.  The passive mode would be more neutral, but I usually left it on active.  Over years and years of use, you'd think I'd just instinctively gravitate towards the position that gave me greater pleasure, and that position was always "active".   

A passive pre will allow you to listen to your power amp. If you like what you hear, that may be all you need.

If you don’t like what you hear, you might need to add 2nd harmonic distortion to the signal (active pre) to fatten up the sound, add body and dimension, texture....the good seasoning us audiophiles tend to crave.

If your DAC isn’t 2 volts or you have really long cable runs, an active preamp may be required.

I've found over the years that a really good preamp seems to provide to me the best results sonically.  These days, most source components have good output drive, and preamps end up being more attenuator than amplifier.  However, the signal still goes through the preamp's amplification stage and depending on the quality of those components that touch the signal along with the power-supply can provide drive to the amplifier(s), especially with long lead lengths.  Some amplifiers need fairly high input voltage for full output and the input impedance of some amps may require a more robust source signal which is where a great preamp will be better able to drive it.    Yes...  The preamp will add in its own sonic signature (color if you will) but in my experience, has resulted in the best sound for my listening enjoyment.  Obviously, there is no simple answer for this question !  It's basically the exquisite dance of specific components and how they play together for your personal sonic enjoyment...  

Thanks for sharing your experience, Brandon...

The greatest take-away from your post is the importance of "doing the work."  Early on in my audio experience, I hooked up with passionate, energetic music lovers that were excited to do the work necessary to achieve great sound.  My 80's brick & mortar dealer removed his living room picture window to install Altecs, for example.  My 90's mod engineer/friend would spend hours testing isolation approaches, including those "under the hood" of gear.  And yes, changes can prove sideways or negative, but, until you try.

Efforts are always rewarded.  A great preamp in a specific SYSTEM may prove best, or not.  Often, compromises need be made often due to mixing digital and analog gear, whether it be volume controls, wiring approaches and room requirements in placement.  In recent years, I've learned room/loudspeaker integration to be most vital.  Study, experiment with tuning a room (laser ruler a must.)  Arrival timing, room resonances, bass nodes, ceiling and floor bounce, distances between and to your speakers, the tilt of the speakers in how that relates to your listening height.  Experiment, experiment.  When you find *** IT ***, once found, "it" ...will be readily apparent to you.  THEN, everything you do upstream will take on much more life and character in your system.  Experiments with wire, electronic gear, contact enhancement, isolation will begin to reveal themselves once those windows open. 

And yes, many of these things cannot be measured, however, we each own the best testing devices ever created.  I'm squarely in both camps, measurements indeed matter, known science matters to get close, THEN the fun work begins! 

Some experienced listeners seem to have personal favorites in what's most important to address, often, impressed by some specific game changing experience in their journey...amp, TT, speakers...you name it.  Often, that can become the "focus point" for individuals, however, as many have voiced here, everything does indeed matter once the windows open to great sound.  Experiment, experiment. 

Think Positive, Test Negative                              More Peace, Pin

@pinthrift 

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