2. amps-preamps
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A great linestage/preamp "makes" a great system

I've evolved a very nice and synergistic 2 channel music system over the past decade (posted). The learning curve has been very steep at times, but the result has been worth the ride. The one component I've found the most elusive to get "right" is the linestage/preamp. I've owned resistor-based attenuators (EVS and Endler), passive TVCs (Django and amorphous core Promethius), Musical Design MP-1b and custom 2 box "balls out" (Black Gates/tantalum resistors/Schottky)solid state, fully tweaked Atma-Sphere MP-3, and Blue Circle 3000 GZPZ tubed units - all of which had virtues, but none possessing the full package. I understand where the passive crowd is coming from. That nth degree of transparency is very hard to get from actives. Likewise, the liquidity/body/"humanness" of great actives adds so much to my musical enjoyment. My new Audio Note L3 Kits "2 box" Custom build from Bill Baker of Bella Extreme has finally gotten me the best attributes of both passive and active designs I've used.

I'm wondering if any of you, like me, have been on the journey a while and have found the linestage/preamp to be the trickiest to get "right" in your system. For me a truly outstanding one is the centerpiece of my system.
jb0194
mmike84
309 posts
 
To this day adding a preamp to my system many many years ago (formerly had been using a Wadia CDP w/ volume control) was the single biggest improvement my system ever experienced. While speakers and amp make the most noticeable differences, the Preamp is a critical component when it comes to fine detail, and nuance. Congratulations on finding one you like. I've been through many recently and I've found a couple I really like. I think my current unit is going to be a "keeper".
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,760 posts
 
If the preamp is dropping the ball with the signal, loosing detail and bandwidth, that sort of thing, there is no way the power amplifier will be able to restore it downstream. As a consequence the preamp is the heart of the system- everything emanates from it; it has to be right.
reb1208
518 posts
 
The preamplifier and source component should be considered as one. Get either one wrong and you have half.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
I guess I might be the odd man out. In my expereince linestages have had less sonic influence than speakers and amps. I will agee that due to the specific funtions needed and the direct hands on interaction, linestages might have qualities or the lack there of, that connect or disconnect us to our systems on other levels.
dawgcatching
139 posts
 
I definitely found that a great linestage was the key to my system. Trying around 6 units that retailed between $3k and $6K, I finally found the one that sang and opened everything up. Trying different amps with the same "good, but not perfect" linestage resulted in different flavors of the same sound, but not the near mind-blowing improvement that the right linestage made in my system. It is so system dependent, it is hard to know what is really the best, but I found one that was extremely synergistic with my other components and very nice in it's own right.

In the last few months, I demoed at home: Eastern Electric Minimax, Herron VTSP1a-166, Classe CP-700, Audio Research LS26, Dehavilland Ultraverve II, Modwright 9.0 Signature, Simaudio I-7 preamp section, and McCormack ALD-1 with Gold+ SMC upgrades. All had their plusses and minuses, but the ALD-1 was the standout for my system. It is nice that the journey is over; time to focus on my source!
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