The future of preamps

Great future as they do make a difference, more so then the power amps. This is especially true if you are into vinyl, as they contribute much more then any combined unit. I have a knock off of the HK Citation 1 (VAS) and it is a joy for vinyl listening. The design of this unit is almost fifty years old, so when you marry it with current SOTA parts, like VAS did, it comes close to blowing away many Audio Research units. I think, aside from the DAC technology, pre amps will around along as there is vinyl.

For digital sources, preamps may also provide DAC and DSP, in addition to the functions that Ralph notes. I can foresee more HT style functionality creeping into the traditional preamps as digital sources continue to dominate, but I don't see the preamp going away.

Perhaps I've been misled, but I thought the redbook standard output was 2 volts?

12-10-13: Unsound
Perhaps I've been misled, but I thought the redbook standard output was 2 volts?

I haven't ever had occasion to look at the redbook specification document, but the de facto norm seems to be "full scale" (i.e., maximum) amplitudes of 2 volts unbalanced and 4 volts balanced. That would be based on the usual convention of defining balanced amplitudes as corresponding to the instantaneous difference between the voltages of the two signals in a balanced signal pair, the 4 volt number therefore reflecting each of the two signals being 2 volts.

Ralph's designs are balanced, of course, although they often provide both balanced and unbalanced inputs. I suspect that is why he mentioned 4 volts.

Best regards,
-- Al

Based on my experience the preamp is the heart and soul of a system. Sure one can argue I don't need fine food or Parma ham to survive, but these foods are simply more enjoyable than bread and water. Ya, I can survive without them. Yes, my system works without my tube preamp, but it does not taste as good:-) Pretty simple stuff.