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March 31, 2013 - 6:04pm
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Adding preamp after phono stage and output to Denon 2113
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Yes, you have the principle correct. However, for that Denon, I don't see an input that would take a preamp's output...
Hi Bill, thanks for the reply. Currently, my phono setup is turntable to phono preamp and from the phono preamp to Denon. Since there is no dedicated phono source in Denon, I am actually using the DVD source and rename it as Phono. It works for me in this setup and the sound is so much musical and richer than playing off my CD.
The thing is if I ambitiously add a tube preamp right after the phono box s and use the tube preamp RCA out to connect into my Denon 2113's DVD source, will it degrade the quality of the sound? I heard from most people is that the more equipment you add, the more noise you will introduce. I don't have a golden ear, so I am not sure if I can degration to me is obvious.
Secondly, this setup will essentially have 2 volume control, how do I balance them and which volume control should I use?
If the above could work, will I still get the benefits and warm sound from the tube in such setup?
Instead of a new preamp, focus your money on a nice tube integrated or nice solid state integrated. Most integrateds will have a preamp out to add a better or more powerful amp as needed. My guess is your Denon may be a better amp than you are leading yourself to believe, however the only way to know is to compare!
I would still very much like to keep my existing setup so I really hope to know if adding on a tube preamp would improve the sound quality of my existing setup. Improving is one thing, the other is I am not even sure if adding the tube preamp would work at all. Anyone can enlighten me in this?
since you don't have a proper input on the Denon to receive the tube preamp's output, adding the preamp won't help (even if your preamp is a better quality than the preamp inside the Denon).
The preamp's output will be higher than what the DVD (or other source) input should handle, so you would be overdriving the Denon - unless you keep your preamp volume very low, which would defeat the purpose. And, as you noted, you would have 2 volume controls to manage which is not practical.
Inside the Denon, there may be a way to input the new preamp - however, that's academic. It would involve getting Denon to tell you how to do it (and void the warranty) or it would take a knowledgeable expensive technician to figure it out.
The only reason to add a preamp of any sort is to add switching and volume, to add a buffer in the case you are driving excessively long or capacitive cables, or in the case your power amplifier, regardless of stated voltage sensitivity, lacks drive and momentum, indicating you are looking for a current drive SS state preamp like a Krell or Linn or an SRPP tube preamp to properly drive the amplifier. Tube VS SS isn't always about sound, per say, so much as matching a given technology to what you are needing to achieve in your system.
I could almost unequivolcally say (man that's pretentious :) ) that you aren't going to achieve better sound by adding a tube (or any other topology) preamp to your setup, other than just getting a nice phono preamp, which you've already done.
thanks jgossman.
like you mentioned, the sole reason for adding a tube buffer inbetween my Solid State equipment is to satisfy my craving for the warm in sound quality. there are of course pure tube buffer in the market which i think should be able to do the job well for my line of setup but it is really difficult to find one of reasonable quality with multiple source inputs at a budgetary price.
so when i chance upon the XiangSheng 728A preamp, my immediate thought was that this unit would finally complete my quest. however, the main issue with this unit is that it is not only a tube buffer but a preamp as well. since i am using a Denon AVR2113 integrated amp, my concern is whether there is a degration in quality especially when the analog signal will be passing through several stages of preamping. secondly, is such setup actually workable? will it burn out my system? anyone tried doing this and survived to tell the tale? if i set my Denon to Direct/ Pure Direct, will it actually help?
I really appreciate if someone can offer some help here. if I get a tube preamp and connect
it between the source and my Denon AVR 2113 integrated amp, is it possible? the preamp comes with its volume control so I will have 2 volume control. someone in another forum suggested unity gain but i dont know what it means.