System dependent.
DAC DIRECT IN TO AMPLIFIER OR TO PREAMPLIFIER
For the longest time, I believed that the best preamplifier is no preamplifier. Eliminating a component from the audio chain would yield less distortion & greater purity.
Recently, I have had reason to re-think my logic on the matter - and I am (I think) changing my mind. Better said, assuming that the preamplifier in the component you are using (in my case, a DAC) can produce 95% or greater quality sound compared to the preamplifier component, then no preamplifier is the best option. The 5% represents the (estimated) loss of fidelity in adding another set of interconnects.
That said, most DACs do not have an outstanding preamplifier built in. I think most have average passive attenuators, and the better DACs have active preamplifiers that are very good - but not as good as a quality preamplifier.
What are your thoughts?
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- 95 posts total
++1 @markalarsen @ghdprentice I had a similar experience recently, and it completely converted me from the ’no preamp is the best preamp’ camp to being a preamp believer. People often attribute it to synergy, but I really wish someone could explain exactly which elements, components or interactions in the gears contribute to better synergy. Impedance matching is just a necessary condition but not a sufficient condition. |
I believe the answer, at least when it comes to a tube pre, is harmonics, evens vs. odds, and that nasty word, distortion. Perhaps along the same lines that many prefer the vocals of Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, or Joe Cocker over someone with perfect pitch and tone, like Celine Dion, who sounds too perfect and therefore unexciting and boring? |
- 95 posts total