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What do we actually need a preamp for these days...?

Posted by andy evans (A) on January 8, 2021 at 01:24:55

In Reply to: Part of the issue is the massive gain of your preamp posted by Chip647 on January 7, 2021 at 18:15:38:

It's been so many years now that everyone expected to be using a preamp and an amplifier. But maybe the whole idea of a "preamp" needs to be updated in a world where a 2v line signal is normal, and the only other need for gain is a phono stage.

The word "preamp" literally means "pre" "amplification", but take away the need for gain and you get some kind of switching and a volume control. Maybe not even the switching if your DAC is the only input, and no volume control needed if the volume control is in software. No need for buffer even if your DAC is driving a tube amp.

I see loads of threads asking "what do I do about my extra gain" here and elsewhere, but it seems that many are still reluctant to move on from the idea of a preamp. Many say "the tubes add warmth" or something similar, but in that case the tubes should surely be in the amplifier?

Preamps live on but in many cases it's hard to see why or what they're doing that's useful.

Edits: 01/08/21 01/08/21

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