Hi everyone, new here and wanted to ask about the benefits of a preamp when I mostly stream digital music (I'm in my mid 20s, so I'm not super seasoned)


I know preamps are used for Vinyl, where the turntable output is quieter than a digital DAC, so it's useful to add some gain there.

In a digital system though, would a preamp just be for creature comforts like a remote control and input selection? Obviously a tube preamp could add some tube magic as well.

I have a solid state monoblock system, with just my laptop as input so I think it'd be redundant to add more power amps, since switching between them would require a lot of disconnecting and reconnecting. I'm wondering if a preamp would be a good way to play around with tube sound for both my speaker and headphone setups.

A pre-amp is more than just a switch. Generally its increased gain which provides positive impact for sound stage and overall sound depth.

In addition it provides a way to drive s subwoofer in a 2.1 system.
or volume control

For $850 you can experience an entry level pre-amp which is highly rated

https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-n

Enjoy the music