Who is using a Preamp?

[AcousticTheory]

I have two good stereo preamps, a Mark Levinson No. 38 and a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1. Lately, I have been using small DACs like the Emotiva DC-1, SMSL RAW-MDA1, and SMSL DO200 Pro, and I have been using their internal volume control to control the system volume. Some people have said this is sub-optimal but I have had perfectly acceptable results doing this. I have had a wide variety of amps, from Hafler, Job (Goldmund), Emotiva, Aragon, Hypex, and Icepower, and they were all good amps, just no volume control of their own. I like the mixing and matching of component amps, and having a variety of them has exposed me to the ways that different amps can affect the sound.

Both of my preamps are quite old, and were already well used when I got each of them, and the SFL-1 was even repaired due to its age. I am wondering, who is currently using separates with a dedicated preamp, and what is considered a good modern preamp these days that people actually own? If you don't use a preamp, then what is feeding your amp(s)?

 

[Purité Audio]

Some streamers have an analogue only preamp option, they are I suppose the modern equivalent of a traditional pre.
Keith

 

[respice finem]

I've never used an analog preamp as a separate component. Just integrated amps or receivers in the analog era, now not even this, just DAC/"preamp"/HPA devices and active speakers.

 

[sergeauckland]

I use a Meridian 501 preamp, as I need a source selector, volume and balance controls. The 501 replaced an even older 201 that died of old age, and had signed a DNR request.

I can't imagine not having a preamp, as with 6 sources to select plus needing several outputs, doing without would involve a lot of replugging. As to audio quality, there's been no audible improvement in preamps since Noah was in short trousers, so happy to keep my old Meridian box until it too expires.

S

 

[egellings]

I use my home-brewed tube preamp for phono & line level inputs. It is minimalist-an input selector, volume, and balance controls, along with an on-off switch..

 

[IngMishael]

My preamp is also my DAC, Streamer and DSP Sub integration tool

 

[PatentLawyer]

My pre-ASR rig uses a separate analog preamp. Fully balanced and all that fancy stuff. One of the things connected to it is a Topping D90SE, which cost less than every single cable in that system. Yes , I wasted money before I came here.

 

[xanalog]

Hi, @AcousticTheory

I am wondering, who is currently using separates with a dedicated preamp, and what is considered a good modern preamp these days that people actually own? If you don't use a preamp, then what is feeding your amp(s)?

I am not sure of the types/quantity of analog-input switching and/or Vol/tone-controls, you have in mind and whether this pre-amp will also manage a turntable as input.
The latest 'modern' pre-amp seems to be the FOSI ZP3; w/2 sets of RCAs + 1 set of XLRs as inputs and both RCA/XLR as outputs.
Under $200, and no charge for a sub-out and trig I/O.

 

[Ricardus]

I have an Elekit TU-8500 tube preamp that I built, and a friend is about ti give me his dad's old Macintosh C-28, which might need a restoration.

 

[Gary_G]

Using a Parasound P6 for analog and digital inputs.

 

[mhardy6647]

I am (using a preamp).


(the bottom black box; top's an "HD" tuner )

 

[olds1959special]

Fosi P4 with Sparkos SS3602 opamp. The remote control is terrible, I can't control the level accurately at all. But it sounds good.

 

[AcousticTheory]

Thank you for your inputs.

I have liked the Emotiva AD1955-based Stealth DC-1 for its excellent metal remote and the fact that its volume control is implemented as a balanced op-amp with gain settings achieved by digitally controlled MUSES resistor ladder volume control chips, which is a 'real' preamp instead of digital. This seems like a good detail to sweat. I would like to see a product that implements a preamp in a similar way and sits in the same half-width chassis as the DC-1. Its DAC chip is long in the tooth even though it was a good choice for its day. I don't think it was ever a great SINAD performer, far from state of the art, but cleaner enough than the downstream power amp. The DC-1 is quite old now and its blue OLED display is developing dim areas. I'm itching to experiment with a Denafrips Enyo 15 (Ares II), but that means a preamp will have to come back into the system, and the Levinson has been packed away for 7 years now. The Ladder Bach with remote is also intriguing as a preamp.

Fosi P4 with Sparkos SS3602 opamp. The remote control is terrible, I can't control the level accurately at all. But it sounds good.

This could be due to using a motorized potentiometer instead of a digitally controlled resistor ladder. You don't get a number to look at, you just press the button until the knob setting is in about the right place, and there is no stepped reference or scale that corresponds to a number of clicks.

 

[bigguyca]

The Benchmark preamps are excellent. ASR review:

'Review and Measurements of Benchmark HPA4 Headphone Amp/Pre'

Jul 20, 2019

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Benchmark HPA4 headphone amplifier and preamplifier. The company was kind enough to loan me one for testing. The HPA4 retails for US $2999 so not cheap. It is a collaboration between Benchmark and THX to implement the "888" standard. Will it outperform the much cheaper THX designed Massdrop/Drop AAA 789? That is what we will attempt to determine later in this review.

The HPA4 is a departure from other Benchmark products with the addition of a color touchscreen:

The screen looks better in person (and in my...

• amirm
• Replies: 488
• Forum: Headphone Amplifier Reviews & Discussion

• 

I use with Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier.

 

[Laika2]

If it counts I'm running a Denon 6800 in full preamp mode to 11 300 watt monoblocks and a powered sub.

 

[xanalog]

If it counts

I don't think it counts as a deductible donation!

 

[Laika2]

I don't think it counts as a deductible donation!

I'm not sure it counts as a pre amp.

 

[JeffS7444]

I am (using a preamp).


(the bottom black box; top's an "HD" tuner )

I'm shocked to see such modernity from you.

 

[mhardy6647]

I'm shocked to see such modernity from you.

I am a mystery wrapped on an enigma.

 

[Haflermichi]

I use at least one preamp, sometimes two, every day.
Two Hafler 915's upstairs (one in living room, one in garage)
Downstairs I have a choice of another 915, Nakamichi CA-5 or Bryston BP-25.
My sources are OPPO br players and media are CDs.
I don't stream. At all.