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Post by Chris on Oct 2, 2020 12:39:28 GMT -5
With the majority of music playback being either streaming, CD, or local digital files, do you still need a traditional Preamp? For example, some DACs include a high quality volume control that can be directly connected to an Amp. Unless you play Vinyl, you don't need analog inputs. With something like the Parks Audio Puffin you can even use a S/PDIF digital output for vinyl as well.
So, is the Preamp as a distinct product an endangered species?
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Post by sailor on Oct 2, 2020 14:26:33 GMT -5
Maybe. I see a lot of preamps with DAC's built it. For me I see myself pulling more and more away from analog (I was an avid vinyl guy since TE was a gleam in his parent's eye) with the event of good DAC's and good streaming services like Qobuz.
For the pure music lover and not one who considers owning every piece of music on CD or SACD, the streaming services are a wonderful place
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Post by speakertom on Oct 2, 2020 14:34:14 GMT -5
Don't forget that other analog non-streaming source, the tuner.
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Post by sailor on Oct 2, 2020 14:42:47 GMT -5
Tuners will be going away soon too just like old TV. It will all be digital soon. I think I read that Europe is almost all digital FM now
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Post by larrys on Oct 2, 2020 16:53:47 GMT -5
I still need multiple inputs. And, arguably, a preamp can provide a welcome sonic signature to a system.
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Post by larrys on Oct 2, 2020 16:57:09 GMT -5
And I still use a tuner as well. The Baltlmore Symphony Orchestra has been broadcasting recordings of some of their recent concerts on Sunday afternoons. A number of the broadcasts are of concerts that I attended. Who knows when that will happen again.
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Post by sailor on Oct 2, 2020 20:22:03 GMT -5
I admit that the times I have tried passive multiple input switch and a high quality pot I have been disappointed. Same thing with a couple amps I have that incorporate a pot. A good tube preamp adds life to the system.
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Post by speakertom on Oct 2, 2020 22:24:10 GMT -5
Tuners will be going away soon too just like old TV. It will all be digital soon. I think I read that Europe is almost all digital FM now The digital FM tuner I have still has analog output.
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Post by thevinylrevivers on Oct 3, 2020 11:22:14 GMT -5
I like using preamps that contain both analog and digital inputs. I still listen to a ton of vinyl, listen to an FM tuner, and playback recordings on cassette with my Nakamichi RX-505. I like having digital inputs as well so I can bypass the internal DACs of my Bluesound Node 2i, Sonos Connects, and other digital devices.
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Post by larrys on Oct 3, 2020 13:33:31 GMT -5
Wow, someone else with a cassette deck. I have a Nakamichi 582Z.
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Post by sailor on Oct 3, 2020 15:08:47 GMT -5
I now have two DACs installed one for RedBook listening. One for hires. The BP DAC is just hands down the best digital sound but only for RedBook. It is 16 bit but can go up to 176khz, but essentially CD only quality. I do have a lot of HiRes files from the Dave Raden collection so I also have my Twisted Pear DAC which is DSD 5XX khz for those files, but to tell the truth, I am perfectly happy with Qobuz through the BP DAC by way of the Innuous Zenith server. The Zenith allows for two DACs installed and can switch back and forth during the same track via iPad.
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mark
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by mark on Oct 3, 2020 21:52:49 GMT -5
Maybe "preamp" is no longer the right word, but I think you still need something to control all your input signals. I'm using the Puffin vinyl preamp with its S/PDIF output, a Bluesound Node 2i for streaming, a CD player via toslink and a cassette tape deck analog output, all feeding into a DEQX DSP device. Maybe "input selector plus dac and dsp" would be a better name for it! I admit I no longer own a tuner.
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Post by thevinylrevivers on Oct 4, 2020 5:53:27 GMT -5
Wow, someone else with a cassette deck. I have a Nakamichi 582Z. I actually have two Cassette decks. John Gatski is currently using my Nakamichi Cassette Deck 2 to transfer some digital recordings that he's made. I still have 700 cassette tapes.
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Post by sailor on Oct 4, 2020 6:11:07 GMT -5
I got rid of my NAD cassette deck and a shelf full of tapes years ago and never looked back. Pre recorded tapes were so bad and recording LP’s was such a pain. Now that is getting away from vinyl more and more I think my Sugar Cube Sweet Vinyl LP ripper is next on the chopping block.
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Post by larrys on Oct 4, 2020 6:45:44 GMT -5
I got rid of my NAD cassette deck and a shelf full of tapes years ago and never looked back. Pre recorded tapes were so bad and recording LP’s was such a pain. Now that is getting away from vinyl more and more I think my Sugar Cube Sweet Vinyl LP ripper is next on the chopping block. How did/do you like the Sugar Cube? As I recall, they had some teething problems.
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