With Or Without A Preamp...

[Portugal]

Originally Posted by joeinid

I've always preferred a preamp in the chain. I hear more detail w/o a preamp, but to me, it's less musical and more analytical.

Good question. I recently had to take such decision, asked my dealer for an opinion and got the answer as quoted above.

[eljr]

Originally Posted by thesaint519

Hello AA comrades,

I need to solicit help from the collective intelligence about this matter. I'm currently running a dCS stack (Purcell/Delius) front end, which pull double duty as my preamp. They are feeding my Lamm M1.2s directly. The sound is hypnotic & quite satisfying - due, in no small part, to the addition of Transparent Reference cabling all around. I know there are two schools of thought on the matter. However, I'd like to hear from any who have had real world experience with running direct (without a preamp), and running with a preamp in the signal chain. Thoughts ?

What would be the point of adding a pre?

If the pre works impeccable it will add nothing, if it is not impeccable it will color the sound. Why would you want that?

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by joeinid

I've always preferred a preamp in the chain. I hear more detail w/o a preamp, but to me, it's less musical and more analytical.

Originally Posted by Portugal

Good question. I recently had to take such decision, asked my dealer for an opinion and got the answer as quoted above.

You must have a very smart dealer

[thesaint519]

Originally Posted by chessman

I can't seem to find "good enough."

For me the preamp offered several things, as follows:

1) I like the concept of the preamp as "control amp," getting a very tight grip on very slight voltages. My listening experience with mine in my room was that the sound stage was wider, airier, and more detailed.

2) I wanted to bring the sound of my speakers one tick off of neutral towards warm. I did not want the sound syrupy sweet, but I did want it lusher. When I added the tube preamp, I achieved the "delicious" sound that Alberto speaks of - detailed, emotionally involving, resolving, but not fatiguing.

3) I wanted the additional connectivity. I run a CD player, a turntable, a iPhone dock, and a surround sound processor through the various ports in the preamp.

I am a huge believer in system synergy, which means that my solution may not be right for your setup, or even mine if I made gear changes. I thought a lot and researched a lot to try to acquire a "system" that integrated well. I had assumed that BAT had voiced the preamp and amp as a pair for a reason, went for it, and was very happy with the result.

Hope that helps. I have no cure for upgradeitis, although I, too, am a long time sufferer.

That perpetual disease upgradeitis is hard to remedy. The only known cures are satisfaction and bankruptcy . I strongly believe that I'm on the road to satisfaction. There are only a few things remaining on the wish list. The Lamm L2 preamp is high on the short list. The rest of the system is staying for the long haul. At some point I'll upgrade the digital front end, and upgrade the Transparent Ref cabling to XL MM2, but by and large everything else are lifers. Unless, of course, the Sashas are updated. I, too, have read and researched enough to be persuaded to add a preamp, but was looking for input from the collective. I just want the absolute most/best from my equipment.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by eljr

What would be the point of adding a pre?

If the pre works impeccable it will add nothing, if it is not impeccable it will color the sound. Why would you want that?

Nothing adds Nothing

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Nothing adds Nothing

Correction

Something is either added or subtracted with amps, pre's, cables, power conditioning, stands.....

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by eljr

What would be the point of adding a pre?

If the pre works impeccable it will add nothing, if it is not impeccable it will color the sound. Why would you want that?

Well one answer has already been stated and is the obvious answer: if you have multiple sources you want to use, then you will need a control unit that will allow you to switch between the sources, especially if 1 or more of your sources does not have volume control capability.

[thesaint519]

Sure, there are an endless amount of opinions. After all, opinions are like a--holes, everybody has one. And without controversy, it's all good information and presents value on varying levels. I'm hoping to hear, however, from someone who has tried it both ways, and what their conclusions are. Anyone? There's gotta be someone or two among us who can help me.

[eljr]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Well one answer has already been stated and is the obvious answer: if you have multiple sources you want to use, then you will need a control unit that will allow you to switch between the sources, especially if 1 or more of your sources does not have volume control capability.

Correct. So without this need there is no reason to introduce a pre.

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by eljr

Correct. So without this need there is no reason to introduce a pre.

I disagree with that premise but to each his own. Like I said there are no absolutes.