2. amps-preamps
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Is no preamp the best preamp of all?

As an experiment I hooked up my OPPO BDP-95 (which has a volume control) directly to my amp. I was very pleasantly surprised to hear a significant improvement in clarity and sound quality. Typically I have the analog outputs on the OPPO running through my preamp in Analog Direct. I have heard that the circuitry within preamps can cause cross-talk in the analog signal, deteriorating the quality of the signal. So, would having no preamp (and therefore no other circuits to interfere with the signal) be better than an expensive analog or digital preamp running in Analog Direct? I am not really interested in Room Correction or DSP of any kind. I was considering purchasing a Bel Canto PRe6 (which I've read is excellent for multichannel analog), but would it be better to just have the OPPO running directly to the power amp?
128x128cdj123
trebejo
102 posts
 
The DAC is the chef. The amp are the ingredients. The speakers are your stomach.

If you use a digital volume control, you are eating it take-out style, in a styrofoam container and probably reheated with the microwave.

If you use an excellent preamp, you are eating it at the restaurant with nice clean silverware and proper lighting.

If you use a lousy preamp, then the waiter is annoying and the fork has a chunk stuck to it from a previous customer.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Home cooked is live?
srosenberg's avatar
srosenberg
209 posts
 
"Home cooked is live?"

... depends on who's cooking!
saunderse
8 posts
 
Yes, the Lightspeed works without anything in the signal path!
armyscout41
64 posts
 
I have an oppo bdp 95 too, but my grant fidelity cd 427 tube cdp player is my reference. I actually tried not using a preamp as far back as the 80's with a yamaha M 80 and it sounded flat. I guess on some equipment it works better simply because of the design. I agree with some of the comments, there is NO one solution to every setup, it's all a matter of taste and preference. If there was such a thing, it would be safe to say that everyone in this hobby would be buying exactly the same products and manufacturer if they had the funds.
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