JayJH wrote:I am trying to decide if I really need additional gain from a preamp. I recently built the DIYTube driver board and I have it hooked up the line out of my sound card. I will soon get a tube USB DAC, probably the Scott-Nixon USBTD. I am not sure what the output of that DAC is.
Does it look like there would be a benefit to a preamp in my system. If so, are there any suggestions?
To me going direct into the amp from a DAC with a pot on the amp, which controls the volume, the resulting sound is a bit too thin.
When I use the software control on an app, which controls the volume, directly into an amp which lacks a pot, the sound is lifeless.
With a pre-amp, there is greater stereo separation, than without. Adcom pre-amps have a 'contour' control which boots the bass and treble, proportionally defeating as a the volume is raised. This is very helpful at low listening levels.