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In Reply to: RE: Primaluna integrated questions... posted by Valva Actual on January 09, 2021 at 14:20:58
"They didn't jam the entire stand-alone EVO 300 preamp section into the integrated chassis, they went streamlined.
I am curious how much preamp section there actually is, and what it actually does. Any thoughts?"
I have to wonder just what you think is missing by not "jamming the entire preamp circuitry" into the integrated.
Have you read the specifications for the EVO 300 amplifier? If not, you will be very relieved to understand that this amp has an input sensitivity of 870mV! In case you have forgotten your high school physics, that's .870 Vrms: < 1 Vrms (less than one volt root mean square).
Now we all know that the Red Book International standard output for a CD player or DAC is 2Vrms (two volts root mean square). So, it would seem ridiculous for an integrated amp to amplify a signal that is already too large for the input of amplifier.
So what does a preamp stage do if there is no need to amplify the signal? It provides switching and attenuation. So the first thing the preamp stage does is REDUCE THE SIGNAL AMPLITUDE in the volume control. So any talk of "passive" preamps is absurd since there is absolutely no need for any more amplification.
OK, I know this is a fact that is anathema to the dominant paradigm. That doesn't make it untrue.
Follow Ups:
> > I have to wonder just what you think is missing by not "jamming the entire preamp circuitry" into the integrated.
Here is the thing: there is more to a preamp than gain. I have never heard someone say, "yeah, my pre and power amps were great together, but the integrated version from the same company was so much nicer".
I am really just seeking an analysis of the preamp in my integrated, I don't understand what it is.
Best educated guess, it's just input switching, and volume. Completely passive.
One other thing. It has been my experience that when companies make a line that contains a preamp, amp, and integrated amp, corners are generally cut on the integrated to keep pricing in line with the amp.
So the integrateds amplifier section may not be quite the same as the basic amp.
This is just supposition though.
Dan Santoni
I think your post has driven me toward some kind of decision: is the EVO300 integrated's PREAMP compromised in such a way that I need a quality preamp to come closer to maximing sound quality.
A fine preamp does seem to matter in most stereo systems. My research awaits...
Typically a Pre-amp is designed to be able to drive any amp,
and to do so with a wide variety of cables/ICs-
In an Integrated amp setting - much of the unknown challenges disappear
assuming that there is NO Phono stage, the new requirement is for the pre-amp to drive the amplifier to meet the specs/goals of the designer
This might simply be - as indicated above - input switching and volume control-
With out the need to rive cables over unknown lengths, the integrated may eve be able to use a section of the input driver tubes for the small amount of gain necessary to have an active Pre-amp
Pre-amps can be very simple
Happy Listening
"So, it would seem ridiculous for an integrated amp to amplify a signal that is already too large for the input of amplifier."
Which, of course, is what most if not all active preamps do, :-)
Bruce Rozenblit has come to that conclusion, and in fact has retired his Grounded Grid preamp for a new design he calls the slider.
He does explains the electrical rationale' quite well.
It is a variable gain preamp...
If art interprets our dreams, the computer executes them in the guise of programs!
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