High End Headamp / Preamp? - Page 3

Of course, you don't want to have any preamp feeding a headphone amp (I tried it for a while) as it really degrades the sound. Just get a source with 2 outputs (usually balanced and RCA) and feed the preamp and headphone amp separately.

But your first idea is the cleanest, using a headphone amp that can serve as a preamp.

You may want to consider the Denon PMA-1510 at around that price. Not only is it a fantastic integrated amp for the money, it's made in Japan, has a seriously good headphone out, MM/MC phonostage and can be used as either a preamp or a poweramp.

While I'm planning to try out the BHSE [ when I get it in March ] with the Esoteric C-03 preamp, I'm wondering if anyone might know if using a preamp could damage the BHSE in anyway ?

No, it will work fine it just will sound far less defined than direct from the source since you are going through 2 attenuators (and more).

I used to do this with several combinations of preamps and headphone amps to get remote volume control and tried hard but finally gave up defeated

and dropped the preamp in the path. I even tried a couple of passive preamps and still things did not sound right at all.

I will second Uncle Eriks suggestion for The EC Zana Deux, I used it as a preamp in my speaker setup with good results, plenty of inputs & 2 outputs. More flexibility then the BA as a preamp also  less money.

Preamp matching takes a lot of trial and error in addition to the research and theorycrafting.  There's a recent renaissance of going straight from source to amp in the many digital audio communities, but a preamp can help adjust the sound to your personal preferences if chosen correctly.  Not sure how true it is, but I've heard a rule of thumb that you shouldn't even consider a preamp that's lower quality than your power amp or source.

I agree though that in the majority of cases, a preamp will color the signal, usually hurting clarity.

Anyway, Justin said it's fine to use a preamp before the BHSE.  Just set the BHSE volume pot to 100% and control the volume through your preamp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgs9200m 

No, it will work fine it just will sound far less defined than direct from the source since you are going through 2 attenuators (and more).

I used to do this with several combinations of preamps and headphone amps to get remote volume control and tried hard but finally gave up defeated

and dropped the preamp in the path. I even tried a couple of passive preamps and still things did not sound right at all.

Thank you rgs9200m,

I don't want to do anything that's going to get in the way of the BHSE sounding the way it does, [ which I might add I've never heard, I'm only going by what I've read ] however when I'm listening to some of my CD's, there are certain tracks when I want to put the volume up, and like you said that's possible with a preamp that has remote control volume, I could keep getting up to increase the volume when needed, but I like to be as relaxed as possible when listening to music. Like I said I'm only planning to try the Esoteric C-03 preamp out,  which I could also try with my Pico Slim.

                                                                                                   David.

P.S. At the moment I'm able to use the Pico Slim's volume control because I've got it connected to my source via a 12ft cable.

If you want ultimate detail and transparency, there's a Placette remote volume control you might want to consider.  I think there are a few other similar offerings on the market.  Guy Hammel has a 30-day money back guarantee, so not a lot of risk: http://www.placetteaudio.com/remote_control.htm

Based on my experience and discussions with others, I wouldn't recommend adding a preamp without a deliberate intent to color the sound in a way that fits your preferences.  Just sticking in a preamp expecting the sound to get better has a higher probability of leading to suboptimal results.  A lot of speaker guys even choose their power amp+speakers around their preamp (and then secondarily source), as the source+preamp is incredibly important in what your power amp will amplify.  Is there something specific to your current setup that you'd like to accentuate, or feel that's deficient?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elysian 

Preamp matching takes a lot of trial and error in addition to the research and theorycrafting.  There's a recent renaissance of going straight from source to amp in the many digital audio communities, but a preamp can help adjust the sound to your personal preferences if chosen correctly.  Not sure how true it is, but I've heard a rule of thumb that you shouldn't even consider a preamp that's lower quality than your power amp or source.

 

I agree though that in the majority of cases, a preamp will color the signal, usually hurting clarity.

 

Anyway, Justin said it's fine to use a preamp before the BHSE.  Just set the BHSE volume pot to 100% and control the volume through your preamp.

Hi Elysian,

Like I mentioned in one of my posts, the only preamp I would consider is the Esoteric C-03, but I don't want to do anything that's going to hinder the BHSE in anyway. I'll find out what the C-03 does when I get the BHSE because I'm planning to travel to the audio shop where I got my source from. 

No offense, but you're severely limiting your options if you're only willing to look at Esoteric gear.  I do understand that a lot of Esoteric owners prefer sticking with a full Esoteric setup for aesthetics.

There are a lot of really interesting designs out there (as well as small shops willing to tweak their their design to help you with a custom sound) if, again, you feel that you want to modify a particular aspect of your current sound signature.  If all you want is remote volume control, again, a high-quality passive preamp with a remote volume control should suit your purposes, with a lower chance of negatively affecting your chain.

Hi Elysian,

I am limiting my options regarding me choosing just Esoteric equipment, but as I've said, looks are as important to me as their SQ. When I do try out the C-03, I'd have to hear a big improvement which I'm not sure that would happen with the BHSE, I guess trying the C-03 won't do any harm though.

A preamp will not improve your sound unless your source does not output a high enough voltage to achieve the volume you want from your amp. A preamp's function is to provide volume control and input/output selection, and possibly convert between single ended and balanced. Best case a preamp makes no change in your system, unless you are seeking distortion.