Tell me your best preamp

[wadude]

They can work quite well if you have adequate gain in your system and don't need additional amplification. A fringe benefit is that the attenuator adds no distortion to the signal, too.

It’s true, I‘ve been using a passive for years, first with a pot until discovering step attenuators which was a game changer for low volume listening.

 

[antcollinet]

They can work quite well if you have adequate gain in your system and don't need additional amplification. A fringe benefit is that the attenuator adds no distortion to the signal, too.

The downside is their output impedance can be quite high - meaning if there is sufficient capacitance on the output cable, that *can* start to have an audible effect on the frequency response.

 

[wadude]

It took some time studying the concept of bridging between source, passive pre and power amps, (I'm no EE), but it's worked out well.

 

[egellings]

The downside is their output impedance can be quite high - meaning if there is sufficient capacitance on the output cable, that *can* start to have an audible effect on the frequency response.

True.

 

[wadude]

There are some amazing threads and links to passives, (they may be passive but I’m the one actively getting up to change the volume), and as a electrical lay person, ASR offers so much expertise and it’s easy to forget to show gratitude, so, thanks!

 

[Petrushka]

The Topping has a digital volume control. I would never connect that directly to a Poweramp. If that thing ever glitches out you get 100% volume.

Best of all worlds: power amps with step attenuators in their input to limit maximum volume.

But you need to consider failure modes in the amp itself.

Are fuses against the law?

 

[PristineSound]

By measurements only,Denafrips Athena looks promising.
It also has the looks,agility,solid construction with what seems to be quality components,etc.

No digital I/O though if someone wants them.

ATHENA | DENAFRIPS

The function of ATHENA is to amplify weak electrical signals into strong electrical signals to drive speakers or other audio output devices.

www.denafrips.com

Was gonna buy this to pair with my Benchmark AHB2, but then you know what happened. Gonna wait it out a bit later this year to see what happens.

 

[lordhumungous]

Benchmark

 

[Sokel]

Was gonna buy this to pair with my Benchmark AHB2, but then you know what happened. Gonna wait it out a bit later this year to see what happens.

If you don't mind the looks as much as I do but you want no BS, solid performance and configurable in any way possible you can also explore your way here:

Funk Tonstudiotechnik digitale und analoge Tontechnik index

Situation does not seems solvable soon about China gear, so...

 

[PristineSound]

If you don't mind the looks as much as I do but you want no BS, solid performance and configurable in any way possible you can also explore your way here:

Funk Tonstudiotechnik digitale und analoge Tontechnik index

Situation does not seems solvable soon about China gear, so...

I can wait. Maybe it will be a holiday present to myself. I want something with 2x stereo XLR output, for speakers and dual sub. And aesthetics for me personally, is probably just as important as performance.

We'll see how it goes.

 

[frodaddi]

For those who like McIntosh, the new C55 (solid state) and C2800 (tube) preamps offer an impressive feature list. 7 analog inputs (3 balanced, 4 unbalanced), 2 phono inputs (each of which can be MM or MC), DAC with 2x optical, 2x coax, HDMI, USB and MCT, 3x each balanced / unbalanced outputs, and a tape / processor loop. The outputs also have bass management for subwoofer use (or biamping, if that's your thing). Also 8 band tone control on the C55 and home theater passthrough. And of course the signature blue meters. Naturally, being McIntosh they are not cheap - your choice of solid state or tubes for $9k.

 

[tokyo_blues]

Reviving this thread..

Any recommendations for a great preamp in 2025? Preamp+DAC also fine.

I need one with analogue volume pot and multiple inputs (CD player, phono preamp etc) to drive my Dynaudio active speakers.

The obvious choice would be a Benchmark DAC/pre 3, but it's a lot of money.

Anything as good from the new wave of Chinese companies?

 

[Thighsofsteel]

Reviving this thread..

Any recommendations for a great preamp in 2025? Preamp+DAC also fine.

I need one with analogue volume pot and multiple inputs (CD player, phono preamp etc) to drive my Dynaudio active speakers.

The obvious choice would be a Benchmark DAC/pre 3, but it's a lot of money.

Anything as good from the new wave of Chinese companies?

How much have you allocated as a budget? Certainly take a look at the offerings from Topping.

 

[antcollinet]

I need one with analogue volume pot

Digital volume performs audibly as well (Better when it comes to channel matching, especially at low volume) as any analogue pot. If you can bring yourself to remove that requirement from your specification you will expand the range you can select from at a stroke.


EDIT - failing that, if you can live with just three RCA inputs and don't mind a budget option, then the FOSI P4 is reccomended in Amir's review here. It even has a remote:

Fosi Audio P4 Preamplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio P4 budget RCA preamp. It was sent to me by the company and as of this writing, is on sale for US $80. The look is attractive enough for the class. A momentary switch turns on the unit and cycles through inputs, with a reassuring...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[tokyo_blues]

Digital volume performs audibly as well (Better when it comes to channel matching, especially at low volume) as any analogue pot.

Thanks - I am sure they do, I really wasn't placing this constraint based on perceived/expected sound differences.

My angle was more on the 'safety' side: I wouldn't want something to go wrong with the digital pot, or my handling of it, which would result in a 100% output and a pair of blown speakers.

 

[tokyo_blues]

Just to throw one idea out there - any reviews/opinion on this

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

 

[antcollinet]

Just to throw one idea out there - any reviews/opinion on this

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

Here is your review:

Schiit KARA Preamp and Headphone Amp Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Schiit KARA balanced preamplifier and headphone amp with stepped relay control. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $699. Oh wait... that is the picture of our dog, Kara! :D Here is the Schiit version: As I have...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Amir recommends it as a pre-amp (which is excellent) - not so much as a headphone amp.

My angle was more on the 'safety' side: I wouldn't want something to go wrong with the digital pot, or my handling of it, which would result in a 100% output and a pair of blown speakers.

An alternative to consider - you can put a pair of inexpensive passive attenuators at the input to your amp - so that even if your digital volume control goes to full, there is not enough output to cause damage. Ideally you'd select the attenuation to set the full output volume just a little bit higher than you will ever want to listen to, then control it down from there with the digital volume control.