To Preamp Or Not To Preamp,That Is The Question

Hi Mikey,

I tend to agree with much of what Reubent advised: If it sounds good to you...; for classical music or hard driving...

The gain from a preamp can be a very desirable thing and help bring music too life, but it can't really make the signal better IMO.

There is no right.

In your case, a pre-amp is not needed since the volume can be adjusted at the source.

If you want to go for a different sound, there are many ways to go. You could run a music server and play via a network music player, like Squeezebox, Roku or similar. These have volume adjustments on board also so pre-amp is only needed if you have additional sources to switch between.

If you can get your hands on a McCormack Line Drive (should be cheap) it might be worthwhile. It gives you the option of going either passive or active.

Mikey,

The Quad 99 CDP or 99 CDP-2 is a very good sounding CD player when used direct to amp. It also has multiple digital inputs, so you can use it as the pre-amp (switcher) for multiple digital sources.

I had both a 99 CDP and a 99 CDP-2 a few years ago. I connected my DVD player and digital cable box through it with good results. If I still had it today, I would also be connecting my MAC Mini based music server through it.

I've seen them for as little as $600 and it is a very good unit. BTW, there is also a Quad 99 CD player (not CDP). Don't buy it. I think it is only for use connected directly via Quad-link to a Quad integrated amp.

Does the Cambridge Audio 840c have variable volume? If so, it might be a good choice. It gets nearly universal good reviews.

Another very good moderately priced player with variable volume is the Cary DC-308 that I once owned. Supposedly the CD-308T(tube) is even better, but I've never heard one.

Enjoy,

TIC

I had one of these Adcoms, in the early 1990's when they were new. I used it with the variable output directly into an amplifier, and thought it sounded just fine too. If you're happy that's all that counts. End of story.

The real problem with the Adcom is that digital electronics have gotten *so much better* over the years. If you have a pre-amp, you may well find that a $59 Sony DVD player out-performs it in playing CDs.