Solid state preamp grain compared to valves

[Marco]

Preamps have become the real plain Jane of the audio world.

Many people are recommending that the variable outputs of DACs give a stunning sound, so why bother spending more than fourpence on a preamp?

Of course, the answer is if you do not want to mess up the music then you will need a good preamp. A lot of DACs alter the volume by slicing bits off the signal. So having gone to the expense of getting a brilliant 16 bit (or 24 bit) signal you let the DAC chop off bits and reduce resolution. For me, most passives seem to give a very neutral, detailed sound but some of the drive and impact is lost, sometimes with a loss of brilliance in the high frequencies. And yes even when care is taken to get the impedances right. TVCs seem to be a better match but then there are small badly made transformers and ones where great care is taken to design and make a great transformer. MFA and Townshend seem to get it right.

An awful lot of SS preamps have a (slightly) grainy sound, which can be made worse by intense, compressed music. There are some that do not have that edge (slight?) but they tend to be one-offs or expensive. But a lot of SS preamps sort of make up for it with a very tight and dynamic sound with great bass control.

Getting a valve preamp to give a grainless sound is more straightforward but the less good ones do it by flattening the dynamics. However, when the better ones get it right it can be magical. The sound becomes realisitic and musicians sound like they are trying to communicate something to you not a disembodied voice that is as clear as anything but they could be singing the Reading phone book with more emotion.

You clearly do not like the SS edge and I have to admit I do not either

Pretty much my experience too, George. There's no 'perfect preamp', the same as there's no perfect anything else in hi-fi. All have their respective sonic signatures.

Marco.

[Yomanze]

Pretty much my experience too, George. There's no 'perfect preamp', the same as there's no perfect anything else in hi-fi. All have their respective sonic signatures.

Marco.

Yes, I would love to have one of those ‘transparent’ components that objectivists love, because to me, they do not exist! If they did, I would absolutely own one.

[Marco]

Yes, I would love to have one of those ‘transparent’ components that objectivists love, because to me, they do not exist! If they did, I would absolutely own one.

Me too, as it'd solve a lot of headaches! Plus, it would focus you more on what matters most (listening to music), not fretting over boxes

Marco.