guidof;692417 Wrote: > If all of your music will ever be enjoyed via Spotify, you will probably > be happy with the Touch's own internal DAC and an amplifier with volume > controls (no preamp). > > However, if you plan to listen to CD rips, downloaded CDs, or HD files, > then you might consider a good external DAC and a preamp. > > My own experience with preamps include a simple stepped-resistor > attenuator and a buffered preamp, both of my own construction, as well > as the Adcom and C-J in my signature. Note that the Adcom can be > operated both as a full-function preamp or as a simple volume > attenuator. > > With all of these, the Adcom operated as a full-function preamp has the > most convincing presentation of dynamics that I have heard in my system, > thus resulting in the most realistic sound quality. By comparison, the > simple volume attenuators produce sound that is just a bit too "polite" > to my ears, failing to convey all the nuances and engagement of the > music. > > Of course, as always, others' experiences may be different. > > Happy listening to your new Touch! > > Guido F.
I think the issue there is really the gain level of the amp. If the amp expects a higher input level than the sb puts out, then you will need an active preamp. Otherwise you won't. I got rid of mine years ago, and didn't feel that I had degraded my sound in the process. As you said, ymmv, and it depends on the matchup between the sb and the amp (and speakers). I have firsthand experience with the classdaudio amp straight into my tempos, as well as my old mccormack, both straight in, and with a classe dr 5 and a counterpoint sa1000. I didn't feel any regrets ditching the preamps, sonically, or in terms of convenience. My point here is that you can listen quite seriously to high quality flac files through good speakers and a sub or two, and not miss anything by ditching the preamp: it's not just good for spotify and casual listening. Honestly, I would just get an amp first and think about maybe getting a preamp later. The only reason I personally would ever go back to a preamp would be if I were using a deqx, or some other preamp which has some other justification for its existence than source switching and volume control. -- totoro sb touch -> classdaudio sds-450 -> audio physic tempo 4 + rel storm 3 & rythmik f12se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ totoro's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5935 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=93776 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
