Take any solid state integrated and hook a really good tube preamp to it and you’ll have your answer.
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- 86 posts total
The way your question is worded, the correct answer may be, you don't need a preamp as it is already incorporated into your integrated amp. The answer from @soix above, suggests the preamp section of an integrated amp is not sufficient, and adding a separate tube preamp will improve the sound. All further discussion will be subjective opinions on who makes the best preamp. 🤣 Cheers. |
Preamps are becoming a bit of an anachrononism. I don't use one. You need volume control and you need the ability to switch between sources. Today most people have 1 or 2 sources: digital or vinyl or both. Almost all DACs have an analog output signal ready to go to your amp without a preamp. Many DACs now have volume control. If they don't, many user interface programs such as roon have volume control. I use a Transformer volume control which is wonderful. Most DACs can accept multiple digital inputs so your CD transport or your music server can be switched through your DAC. If you do vinyl, you'll need a phono-preamp which is a seperate. if you do digital and vinyl, you'll need a way to switch between 2 analog sources. My Lampizator DAC has an Analog input so that it can be used to switch to a second analog source. I have a custom amp which I had built with 2 inputs so I can accept a second input from my HT system to use my front speakers for HT. So I'm never very mainstream. Most people use a preamp. All dealers will tell you that you need one (they sell them). But my goal is to touch the signal path as little as possible. Preamps can be like swiss army knives and the signal coming out doesn't even resemble the signal going in. People shop for one that they enjoy the way the overprocessed signal sounds. just my 2c and it's worrth what you paid for it. Jerry |
- 86 posts total