[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Msegal

I really enjoyed your post.
I have also thought of a stereo in photographic terms.
My analysis was more of enlarging the negative, yes I’m that old.

Take a MC cartridge with an output of 0.5 mV and amplify it many times until the amplifier is putting out 20 volts or about 1000X.

The clarity of this “picture “ will depend upon all the magnifying stages. The earlier the distortion the larger the impact upon the picture.

The key regarding preamplifiers, as mentioned earlier is that the preamp will buffer the signal from the source (offering a very high impedance) and output a very low impedance signal to the amplifier. This requires a much more robust output stage then is typically found in a source component. Look at how much real estate is used in a typical preamplifier output stage compared to that if a source.

I have done the passive preamp, no preamp and high end preamp dance. I will always use a preamp in the future even if I don’t need switching capabilities.

Mike S.

I agree fully !