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To Preamp Or Not To Preamp,That Is The Question

Hello
I'm curious this fine Sunday...

In theory, is it better to have a preamp between a CDP (or?) and the amp, or not ? Don't we try to eliminate as many circuits in the path as possible ? Why not eliminate the whole preamp right ?

I have an (2 really) Adcom GCD575, and, I can hook this directly to an amp, and use the Vol control (and Variable output) without a preamp at all...

It sounds really good to me. But, it may be the amp...
I haven't tested with multiple pre's between the same CDP and/or AMP.
mikey44
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,942 posts
 
Al, on this one all I can say is that every time I see a digital volume control, my experience with them is that by the time you are down to 85% (as opposed to 100) there is an audible loss in resolution.

I get that there is an explanation for why I can't possibly be experiencing that; obviously I don't buy it.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,456 posts
 
Many tricks are possible with digital. Some are well executed and some not, like most things.
mikey44 OP
60 posts
 
I've got the GCD575 about 18" away from the CJ MF2300 at the moment I think...Kimber Hero ICS...I have heard the same re digital vol controls...(no thx) but I'm pretty sure the 575 is analog anyways...

Another related question, what is the diff between this setup I have (vol ctrl on the CDP) and an AMP like a MC2105 with volume controls, with a CDP that has fixed outputs ?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,942 posts
 
Mikey44, the amp is usually less convenient, but from a performance point of view that setup usually works quite well.
mikey44 OP
60 posts
 
I think so too...I've heard some of Jimmy Buffet (on now) I've never heard b4...maybe it's the speakers too ? Infinity Crescendo 3009s...
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