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

+1 on the ZStage comment

The short answer is YES.

Although conceptually a phono pre-stage is much like a pre-amp, it is more like a pre-pre-amp. A phono section (phono+phono stage) can be used without a pre-amp, but not with out the phono stage. They are different. While accomplishing the same thing in boosting signal amplitude the phono stage only boosts to line voltage ( about 2V, generally, I think). Any boost in amplitude needed after that would be added by a pre-amp before being sent to an amp.

That being said...

If you can add some "tube magic" to your signal path it should add a touch of the magic to your sound, though obviously the way to get tube sound is from tube amplification. A little is (IMO) better than none. After a full tube listening experience I knew I could not live without it. I added a ZRock to my vintage solid state setup and was immediately glad I did. To be fair, I prefer a Zstage, which doesn't employ the sound shaping the ZRock uses, but the ZRock is excellent for taking away the thinness of digital signals.


Can I ask what your signal chain consists of? Are you using usb-> DAC-> amp?

I love conversations like this... I will be honest and say that I thought I had already applied to this thread... at least I noticed... LOL... I can't take me anywhere.

Be gone, shithook!!!

Hey James.

Actually, no I did not realize that.

Made me feel good anyway

We use an Oppo 103 Bluray player as an input into the Zen. Man it works and sounds like a champ . Love the remote for volume control too! Not seen as a preamp though I suppose....

Oh man looks like I missed out on a few replies!


I got a pretty big upgrade from the first post of this thread until now.

My source chain consists of laptop (USB) to a MiniDSP SHD, which does DAC/volume control duties, so it's functionally a preamp, but it may be something different philosophically...

After the SHD, I have 2 NC400 based solid state monoblocks going into Revel Salon 2 speakers.

Digitally, I'd say I'm set. The MiniDSP has room correction, which I've set up, so bass issues are reasonably managed given I'm not in a position to add bass traps and foam everywhere.


The "problem" I have is that I want a full analog side, for the hobby's sake. I got a Rega Planar 2 turntable at a local meet, and a Pro Ject Phono Box USB V as a cheap preamp to get my feet wet, but for better or for worse, the most elegant way to integrate it into my system is to plug it into my MiniDSP, which converts the analog into digital for room correction, then back to analog for the speakers.

Given the wait time on Decware products, I'd probably have to look into Bottlehead for a similar vibe.

In short: USB -> MiniDSP SHD -> NC400 Monoblocks -> Revel Salon 2
Rega Planar 2 -> Phono box V USB -> SHD -> etc

The all analog dream will wait until I can gather more audio spending money.