The Sonic Role of a Preamplifier

[trponhunter]

I have yet to do a controlled direct a to b comparison when adding a pre amp into a system versus using good digital volume control where the pre amp was better. There was always a reduction of transparency, resolution, focus and space when adding the pre amp - as there should be when you subject the signal to more cables, connectors and analog componentry. No matter how good all of those things are, they need to reduce transparency. With an analog signal, the less you do to it, the better off you are.

To do a proper comparison, I have found that you need to use a great, simply miked recording - recorded in real space of natural acoustic instruments to do the evaluation. If using multi miked stuff then you have much less of an idea what it should sound like, and you may prefer the sound through the preamp - this doesn't make the addition of the pre amp truly better - you just "prefer it".