2. amps-preamps
  3. 179899-155632

Preamps can color sound considerably. Surprising?

Had the pleasure of listening to 4 hi end preamplifiers this weekend. And each preamp sounded very nice. But they were different. Each preamplifier has different circuitry and within the frequency spectrum there was more vibrancy in some areas versus other areas. Amplifiers are the same way.

It takes a while to appreciate sound differences between preamplifiers. And then you got the issue of Breakin which further changes the color.

clearly designers are playing around with all the internal circuitry in a manner that hopefully will be appealing. Clearly, these units do not get out of the way when it comes to moving a signal through the box.

I think solid state is more susceptible to coloring versus tubes. Tubes color sound as well.

It's all about marketing different ways to color Music. This isn't necessarily bad but it's never really talked about this way.

 

 

 

jumia
grh1958's avatar
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grh1958
51 posts
 

I like a little salt on my steak.

mbmi's avatar
mbmi
593 posts
 

Your pre-amp and your speakers account for most of the systems SQ.  The "Tone" of a system can be changed with different cables...power cords....and power conditioners. That's why we are always Tweaking.....

coltrane1's avatar
coltrane1
813 posts
 

BAT preamps are my reference. I’ve had 5 of them, and never had a bad one. I appreciate the “color” of a BAT. Same with a Threshold T2 and T3 Preamps. Old school I know, but they were very good products. I’m stuck in the past. 

big_greg
6,673 posts
 

Isn't that what they're supposed to do? 

ghdprentice
7,316 posts
 

While electronic design of preamps (or any component) is important, so is the choice of specific components… resistors, capacitors… etc. each choice makes a difference.

The head designer of one of the premier electronics companies (MBL ?) said, I can make a component sound whatever I like. If I want it warmer I use X capacitors… if I want it detailed I use Y resistors. I can make a component sound like anything I want.

So, the very best designers craft the sound to satisfy their clientele. This company decided there was a limited market (and appreciation for) for their very highest level products. So were creating a product line for the less discriminating tastes. I think there average component was well over $50K… so they wanted to get some of the chicken McNugget folks in the $20K range.

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