In Pursuit of the very best amplifier (to my ears!) money can buy...

[morricab]

I did not ever listen to the system sans preamplifier. I have run a couple systems in the past without a preamplifier. In every single case I preferred the sound with a pre in the mix. I realize that the pre adds something to the sound. But, I am seeking a sound that is pleasant to me. Not some ethereal raw studio sound - I could go on and on about the falsehood of 'as the artist intended...' I know for fact and from experience with several top artists that is just not accurate or true. Anyway, I digress!

Another way I think about it is that the preamplifier does about 15-20% of the lifting gain and the power amplifier does the remainder. So, the in-series mix enables an interesting cocktail.

(fun fact: Metallica (and many fans) preferred the mix of one of their albums as it was done using the stems on Guitar Hero the videogame over the commercially available media.)

It may be 15-20% of the gain but the preamp’s sonic imprint on a system is far larger than that. You probably should have started with getting the very best preamp in the world and then the amps…just IMHO…

 

[Al M.]

It may be 15-20% of the gain but the preamp’s sonic imprint on a system is far larger than that. You probably should have started with getting the very best preamp in the world and then the amps…just IMHO…

As a friend and I have found out when comparing many preamps in his system, and a few power amps as well, the sound of combinations of preamp and power amp can vary in surprisingly unpredictable ways, especially when both are not from the same manufacturer (this should also be a caveat for both preamp and power amp reviews, especially when either are tested with just one partner).

Therefore, I doubt anyone can claim there is a universally best preamp. You can either pick a power amp or a preamp to start with, it may not matter much for the final outcome.

Except when you start with the power amp, at least you know it can drive your speakers well in terms of bass control and dynamics. But then, these attributes may also vary in perception with different preamps in front of the power amp, and again, not necessarily always in predictable ways...

 

[morricab]

As a friend and I have found out when comparing many preamps in his system, and a few power amps as well, the sound of combinations of preamp and power amp can vary in surprisingly unpredictable ways, especially when both are not from the same manufacturer (this should also be a caveat for both preamp and power amp reviews, especially when either are tested with just one partner).

Therefore, I doubt anyone can claim there is a universally best preamp. You can either pick a power amp or a preamp to start with, it may not matter much for the final outcome.

Except when you start with the power amp, at least you know it can drive your speakers well in terms of bass control and dynamics. But then, these attributes may also vary in perception with different preamps in front of the power amp, and again, not necessarily always in predictable ways...

The variability from amp to amp is often occurring when a preamp doesn't have a very low output impedance or is for some other reason weak in it's drive. I have found that there are preamps that are very consistent from amp to amp when the output impedance is < 100 ohms and they can supply a lot of current (meaning they have a large and low impedance power supply). Also, if the amps in question have a high input impedance (this is not the case for many SS amps) then the preamp will vary less and you will hear more the true contribution from the preamp.

There is for sure less variability in a preamp's ability to drive an amp than the amp to drive certain speakers. Again, this depends on whether or not the speaker designer was ridiculous in having very low impedance dips, and large phase shifts just to get a relatively flat on-axis response.

 

[Verdier]

And yes i have the $$$ to afford the so called " high level " stuff.

Then you could have set a good example and role model by using FM yourself, which you recommend to others here at wbf at every possible opportunity.

 

[bonzo75]

Then you could have set a good example and role model by using FM yourself, which you recommend to others here at wbf at every possible opportunity.

Andro has promised to buy FM and Wadax and Trios after I buy a system.