2. amps-preamps
  3. 962654651

TUBE PRE-AMP OR PASSIVE LINE STAGE ?

gentlemen- do i need a pre-amp ? i'm presently using a AA ddev3.0 dac as volume control. i'm very happy with my system but the dac is the weakest link and i can't help but wonder what my system wouls sound like if i reduced/replaced it's function with a pre-amp or line stage. i want to enhance dynamics, smoothness w/o reducing transparency. it can sound slightly hard when pushed hard. i looking at either the fi y tube pre-amp or the f.t. audio lw-1 passive line stage. my concerns are: that the passive will be sp transparent that the limitations of my dac will be even further revealed. that the tube pre-amp will veil the presentation; every pre-amp system i've heard has sounded like something was between me and the music ! thanks mike
mwalsdor
racers
22 posts
 
Yup. Until you've danced, you can't describe the floor. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. I just decided to go with an ARC LS-16-for better or worse. I've had some of your negatives, and have sometimes been able to resolve them with a pre amp-even tho it's not politically correct at the moment. Best of luck, Racers
tabe1c8
1 posts
 
I justgot rid of a krell 250 a channel solid state amp.Replaced it with the new Audio electronic supply SE-845 SET mono blocks, about 32 watts achannel. But the sound is incredible,the only problem was that the gain could use a little boost.I'm currently using a camelot w/analog gain DAC straight into the amps. I was hesitant to put a preamp inline cause I liked the less is more philosiphy. So for fun I bought a audio electronic supply AE-3 tube preamp. Not only was gain increased but space,soundstaging, details,etc. I could go on & on. The same difference I discovered when I switched the overrated krell amp to the tube SET amps is the same difference I discovered with the installing a (God forbid) preamp (tube of course)I've been made beleiver of good preamps. It may take some carefull listening in your setup @ home. But it will be rewarding.
pls1
432 posts
 
There have been multiple threads on this subject over the last few months. The conclusion is IT DEPENDS. I spent the last six month fiddling with DAC's preamps, cables and poweramps. Even when the equipment is in the insanely expensive class it still requires careful matching. I'm currently not using a preamp with my tube amps but it took a lot of work to get there. Here are references to some of the threads <>, <>
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