2. amps-preamps
  3. 1162755649

Preamplifier: Yes or NO ?

I post this thread because I want to know your opinion about the use of the preamplifier or if no preamplifier is better. A few years ago I tried the old Wadia 6 CD Player with volumen control. Althought it sounded very well without preamplifier I felt the sound lost body.
I red that many brands improved the volumen control in they CD Players so I want to know if you could compare with or without preamplifier.
So if you have CD Player like Wadia, Mark Levinson or Audio Aero, please let me know your opinion.
Thanks.
elduende14
rockadanny
1,226 posts
 
Yes. I have an Opera Audio Consonance Reference 2.2 CD player (volume control) and I greatly prefer a preamp (at least mine - Mapletree Audio 2A SE) in line. It offers a much fuller and more vibrant sound. To confirm that the preamp is not adding anything not present in the recording I had a friend over who has been recording voice, piano, and small ensembles for many years. He brought over his own recordings to play and felt that my system was true to the recorded material and sounded astonishingly well.
1markr
594 posts
 
Another "yes" here as well.

I have not gotten good results without preamps even though I had an Audio Aero DAC with built in preamp and vol control, and with a vol control on my current cdp. There was always "something" missing.
itsalldark
182 posts
 
NO--in my system I only have one source, an Audio Aero Capatole mk2. I tried it with my BAT VK50se and without. I sold the BAT and bought some nice IC's. In my system, and to my ears it clearly sounds better going direct!!! You will have to try it for yourself in your room with your system. There is no right or wrong.
newbee
4,775 posts
 
FWIW. Bought a Wadia 302 and connected it to my preamps(s) as per the conventional wisdom and the reviews recommendations as well. Yawn!

Connected direct to 4 different amps, 3 tubed, one SS = 1 ok, 2 duds, and one with outstanding results and I now have the best sound I've ever had and without a pre-amp. Pays to keep and open mind and experiment if you can!
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
preamps can add some "solor" to the sound. given the dubious sound quality of most cds and some lps, a preamp, especially a vintage tube specimen, is necessary to avoid ear fatigue.
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