Got a bit of cash spare Mr Toy?

[Filterlab]

Rob,

You would benefit from a pre-amplifier, the dac1 pre-amp section is pretty average.
It would really help the performance of you system if you added one. imho

I don't have a DAC1.


The bit I'm missing is if my DAC has a strong output stage, then why add another one in the chain? The DAC is designed to run straight into a power amp (or a mixing desk) and has an onboard pre-amp in order to drive any input stage with ease. Why would it be beneficial to then add another component to do the same job, in essence adding more potential variation (deviation) to the sound?

I had a pre-amp a few years back, I ditched it for the passive (which frankly destroyed it) then I did away with any kind of pre completely and now I have the cleanest, crispest and purest sound I've ever had. Granted it's shown up the flaws in my power amp which is decidedly outclassed either side but upgrading that will be far more beneficial than spending less on a power amp and buying an active pre - no? Not disagreeing or disputing, just trying to realise the reasoning behind it.

[Steve Toy]

A very good pre will always enable a power amp to work more effectively even if a certain rationalisation theory regarding signal path purity says otherwise. A good pre brings much improved dynamics, timing and depth in particular.

[Mr. C]

Rob,

Apologies for thinking you had the benchmark, senior moment again!.
However I stand by my thoughts earlier, even with the Apogee, and especially when concerning tvc style pre-amps too.
A good quality pre-amplifier is essential to a quality music reproducing system imho.

[Marco]

I concur with Tony and Steve's thoughts on preamps.

Anytime that I've followed conventional minimalist wisdom and taken my preamp out of the chain (the last time was running a pair of balanced XLRs between my old Audio Synthesis DAC and ECS monoblocks and using the volume control on the DAC) it's sounded worse - clearer and more hi-fi sounding, yes, but much less musical, too...

And I've also experienced the same with passive preamps. But then, I've got a very good preamp to start with. Maybe that's the problem? If you're using an average quality preamp that's imposing its signature too much on the signal then doing away with it and running direct is an upgrade. However it seems the rules change when a top-notch preamp is at the helm. This is what I've always found anyway. The problem is good preamps don't come cheap, and I think you're talking £3k+ for such an animal.

Marco.