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In Reply to: McIntosh Tube Amp+SS Pre or SS Amp+Tube Pre? posted by benhen on February 16, 2007 at 15:45:13:
Or as close to none like a passive. I have been enjoying a recent sound test with a friend that has many McIntosh`s both tube and solid state and when he introduces any preamp to them C-22 or any other high end preamp it absolutely does not sound as good as the amp alone with just a signal strait into the amp using the gain as a control.
We have been experimenting with some high quality vintage and current preamps but nothing sounds better then a strait run into the amp.
Some amps can benefit from a preamp but so far the mac`s seem to do well without.
Anyone else notice this?
Follow Ups:
Zman makes an important point that amps with a sensitivity below 2 VRMS for full power don't need a line stage with gain.A passive control center can work well IF short, LOW capacitance, cables are used to connect it to the power amp. Passive control centers are inherently high impedance and are VULNERABLE to high frequency roll off.
I prefer a buffered level control, as it deals with both the gain and drive issues. For those using only a CDP for signal source, the DECWARE ZSLA-1 is an affordable option.
Eli D.
Attenuator CalculatorWith my systems, this occurs above 100 Khz.
The McIntosh C46 was the greatest single improvement I've ever done to my stereo system. That preamp is magic and led me to upgrade everything else. Don't ask me how.
the short story is that I became The Accidental Passive-ist a couple of years ago. What began as a $20 experiment for the office system ended up replacing my ARC preamp (at least for CD duty - which is 80% of my listening). At least I get fantastic tube life on the pre since I don't use it that much.I get wonderful results with a CDP using stepped attenuators driving the VTL amps. Also with a tube output DAC (with built in analog gain controls) driving the Threshold.
I thought that you'd just max out those Gain controls. I assume they're potentiometers that regulate the input signal. So I don't really need a preamp?
We have been messing around with nearly every Mac made and its allways sweeter without the preamp. Running speakers like Altec A5`s and 7`s..Stephens and electrovoice...But we have tried Snell`s and other sort of high end speaker we have and nothing seems to match a direct input.
It is a good room for testing but the results are definetely THERE.
...and its allways sweeter without the preamp.but you'll lose the Fiber-Optic light Diffuser Illumination to "show off" your preamp beautifully. ;)
I can use these with attenuators or a good CDP or SACDP with gain. I eventually will get them up to speed, but rely on tech guys since I am not that.
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