Disclaimer I know speakers and room do, those two things are not changing for me. Given that those will remain the same which of those items if any will have an impact on the way my system will sound? I am comparing integrated amps to seperates right now. The reason I ask is because even when talking to HiFi/electronic retailers/manufacturer support I get different answers. I am coming to you ASR , help me , you're my only hope.
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What has the biggest effect in sound profile Pre a/Amp, Amp, or DAC?
- Thread starter Chanur
- Start date
Look at the actual recording quality next, as that is the other pillar afaic. IME the difference between my separates and receivers/integrateds are mostly in convenience (processing capability), connectivity and power. Not particularly audible unless a result of those qualities. Concentrating on the first three is still the way to go.
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
This may not be the answer you're hoping for, but for any competently designed example of pres, amps, or DACs in 2026, there will be no change in the sonic character whatsoever as long as you run them within their intended range.
This flies in the face compared to what you hear from a lot of people.
But think about it like this:
All of that gear is basically supposed to take a signal in at one end, and put it out at the other end with no changes.
This can go wrong if there is too much noise, or too much distortion.
But the good news is, when you measure the performance of many amps and DACs today, the noise and distortion is way below what you can actually hear in practice. Pretty much any pre / amp / DAC that Amir has measured and recommended should sound the same. The exception would be load-dependent Class-D amps, but those are easy to identify and avoid if you want to.
The bad news is, there is no amp or DAC you can buy that preserves your music the way it was meant to be heard, but also makes it sound extra-good.
But the other good news is, you can save your $$$ for better speakers, which as you know do help the sound.
Focus on what features you need, what kind of warranty / support you want, and maybe how the gear looks, but you don't need to hunt for an amp that has a certain "sound". They don't really exist in the way many would have you believe, and they're not SUPPOSED to have a sound anyway.
The thing you do need to pay attention to is input / output voltages, how many watts your speakers need, and thereby making sure the gear you buy will all work to its potential.
Could not agree more. The top of the "food chain" & the bottom.
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Provided that the pre and the dac are transparent (all good ones are), the default answer is the amp. Buy the best one you can afford and just enjoy the music!
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If the new components provide parametric eq and other signal-processing capabilities, and you use it properly, you can realize a very worthwhile improvement.
Otherwise, the difference between competently designed electronics is mostly about style and features.
Otherwise, the difference between competently designed electronics is mostly about style and features.
Yes. If you are willing to name your speakers, and specify the room size and how loud you like to play, and maybe budget, you could probably get useful advice on amps.
- Thread Starter
- #8
I suspected they might be transparent based on the ChiFi DACs I've seen reviewed here. So either people are hearing what they want to hear or companies are intentionally adding distortion and things to shape sound? I had convinced myself I wanted a "warm sound" for that vintage easy listening feel.
Well I have my likely forever speakers already. Bought them in December. Philharmonic BMR Towers. True full range, very wide dispersion, neutral, 6 ohm , 84.5 DB sensitivity speakers. I'm currently sitting 9 feet away from them in a 15 x 15 x 8 foot high room(rounded). I mostly listen at reasonable levels 40-60 DB. But so like to crank it a bit now and then.
My budget is 4,000 ish USD. I only want new. I want something that will last a long time if possible. This will be in my living room, so being able to connect to the TV is a plus but not an absolute requirement. Been looking at integrated amplifiers and seperates.
Build quality would be paramount to anything else I think. Hopefully there is a good compromise of quality and functionality.
Also AI has told me the new Quad33 and 303s would not properly drive my speakers, even in dual bridged mono set up. No idea if it's true or not though as AI is idiotic now and then. It seemed to think it didn't have enough current.
Well I have my likely forever speakers already. Bought them in December. Philharmonic BMR Towers. True full range, very wide dispersion, neutral, 6 ohm , 84.5 DB sensitivity speakers. I'm currently sitting 9 feet away from them in a 15 x 15 x 8 foot high room(rounded). I mostly listen at reasonable levels 40-60 DB. But so like to crank it a bit now and then.
My budget is 4,000 ish USD. I only want new. I want something that will last a long time if possible. This will be in my living room, so being able to connect to the TV is a plus but not an absolute requirement. Been looking at integrated amplifiers and seperates.
Build quality would be paramount to anything else I think. Hopefully there is a good compromise of quality and functionality.
Also AI has told me the new Quad33 and 303s would not properly drive my speakers, even in dual bridged mono set up. No idea if it's true or not though as AI is idiotic now and then. It seemed to think it didn't have enough current.
?? why would the pre/dac being transparent not translate somewhat to the general "transparency" of amps?
Nice choice of speakers. Is it only a 2.0 setup? Just music with minimal lower bass requirements?
- Thread Starter
- #11
I have a sub, I run it in 2.0 and 2.1 currently with an older generation Sony ES AVR. How ever I usually prefer the 2.0 because the sub isn't that great, it's a BIC F12, which was fine with my previous set up of Klipsch Reference Premiere 260s. It's fine for the money but it's not winning any contests. So I'm going to address it later probably.
More the choice of integration options for me. An avr is generally better than most 2ch options provide. The Bic is decent, but how you integrate will make the biggest difference and a Sony avr just doesn't have very good tools for that....
- Thread Starter
- #14
That's what my (probably) wrong phone app says. It's usually 40-50 according to it.
sam_adams
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Please don't use that term.
From the boss:
Let's Avoid the Term Chi-Fi
I often see the use of the term "Chi Fi" to describe audio products from China. I see the intention and don't think anyone is trying to be racist and what have you. Still, I like us to show the highest respect to products from around the world. As avid readers of this forum know...
www.audiosciencereview.com
- Thread Starter
- #16
My apologies I didn't mean it derogatory, just as a grouping of all the new guard of products, aka desktop sized. I'd have put Schitt and stuff in the same category.Please don't use that term.
From the boss:
Let's Avoid the Term Chi-Fi
I often see the use of the term "Chi Fi" to describe audio products from China. I see the intention and don't think anyone is trying to be racist and what have you. Still, I like us to show the highest respect to products from around the world. As avid readers of this forum know...
Heatransfer
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Preamp (or rather preamp stage)
Why am I winking? ROOM CORRECTION is done in the preamp stage. Room correction has an obvious and measurable effect on sound - just like speakers and the room - look at the variance in frequency response (+/- several dB).
And there are people whining about a class
(Edit: typo for amp class)
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If it was me I'd get one of these
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/buckeye-purifi-1et9040ba-amp-review.68644/ plus one of the numerous dac/preamp/streaming boxes reviewed here that cost a couple hundred, and save the rest of the $4k budget for something else. There's no reason to spend more if you just want transparent sound. If you prefer a "warmer" sound there are tubed preamps.
For God's sake don't rely in AI, which will be a product of a training set that could come from anywhere.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/buckeye-purifi-1et9040ba-amp-review.68644/ plus one of the numerous dac/preamp/streaming boxes reviewed here that cost a couple hundred, and save the rest of the $4k budget for something else. There's no reason to spend more if you just want transparent sound. If you prefer a "warmer" sound there are tubed preamps.
For God's sake don't rely in AI, which will be a product of a training set that could come from anywhere.
MaxwellsEq
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Modern DACs and line-level amplification when done competently are better than your hearing.
Phono preamplifiers are a challenge to design well and so you probably can hear differences between them (if you play vinyl).
Power amplifiers can be under-powered (you need greater peaks than you expect) and can be sensitive to load, both of which may be audible.
Waxx
Major Contributor
You could even use a Wiim Amp Ultra where all is in one box (and good enough quality) for about 550€, and do something fun with the rest of your 4K. Amps, preamps and dac's don't have to cost a fortune today. The speakers need about 150w i think (not specified, but on how it's build and it's parts). More is not bad.
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