Pre-amp question

[shuggz]

Whilst comparing my Lector to the droplet, I decided out of interest to bypass the Eklipse pre, to my surprise the soundstage opened up, now I'm wondering what to do next. Tony advised getting the circuit diagram for the eklipse, which I've asked for.
Is this sort of thing to be expected re bypassing tube pre-amps or have I got a tired pre-amp in need of refresh?

[John]

Both nice Cd players Try another pre amp only way to be sure what is happening. If you just using digital volume control and no other units then perhaps going directly though the CD Player makes more sense, a good pre amp should add as little colour as possible and not take away anything from the sound but do not know your pre I am sure someone else here can give better advice

[Ali Tait]

It's more about impedance matching than component count in the signal path IMHO.If you are getting a better sound by connecting your source directly to your amp,then it's probable that there is an impedance mismatch between your pre and amp.A design like the WD pre3 would help in this regard,as it uses output transformers to drive an amp properly,and so avoids this problem.Or if you fancy giving diy a go,Nick(Lurchers) valve buffer stage would correct this problem.I'm sure he would advise if you asked nicely! He knows what he's talking about.

Or it just could be tired valves as you say.Might be worth changing them first if it's not too pricey a proposition.

[shuggz]

I replaced the originals with NOS mullards, so I may give that a try but not sure what valves to go for next.

[Ali Tait]

Well don't think you can do much better than that.

[Steve Toy]

The Grounded Grid preamp I picked up today from Anthony just eclipses every preamp I've ever heard. It is so exquisitely detailed and yet reconstructs all the detail in a such a perfectly coherent fashion that I'd be hard pressed to find a better way to run a source component into a power amp.

It is the Tube Distinctions AOS pre to match the modded Puresound A30 AOS power amp.

[jandl100]

I've an Audio Synthesis DAX Decade which is a DAC with onboard pre - both very transparent. Nonetheless, I use an EAR 802 valve pre-amp as well as I find this adds focus and body to the sound as well as jigging the dynamics up a step or two. It also improves the 3D soundstage, it doesn't seem to close the sound in at all.

[Marco]

Same here, Jerry, with my Croft valve pre, which will be going head-to-head later with Steve's new grounded grid. If I like it more then I'll want one, too

I think it boils down to how good your preamp is in the first place, whether or not it 'gets in the way' of the sound, or like Ali says, impedance matching.

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

I've heard a Transcendent Sound GG pre,and it's rather good,so if the TD is anything like it,you're onto a winner there.

[shuggz]

Looks like a new Pre if I can't resolve, however a mate has pointed out that my Pre-amp sits on glass/metal supports on granite, whereas the mono's sit straight on to the granite.
He reckons that's where my problem is, I need to isolate the equipment on the rack or better still get a more inert rack re vibration, he also reckons my Zen's need better isolation than a £10 granite block from Tesco especially as I have a wooden suspended floor.