Pre-amp, verses A/V receiver

[BobSD]

Is there any noticeable sound improvement or benefits using a pre- amp with a power amp, as to just using my Denon receiver as my pre-amp? This way I can still have my surround when I want it and have dedicated stereo too.

 

[Adam]

Tough question. Whether there will be a noticeable difference depends on what two pieces of equipment are being compared and by whom. Here's what I'd recommend - hook up the Denon as your pre-amp. If you're happy with the way it sounds...bam, you're done. If you feel that something is lacking, then try out one or more pre-amps (but I recommend getting them from places that have restocking fees that you can live with, and free no-risk trial periods are always better ).

 

[BobSD]

Thanks, that would save me money.

 

[PENG]

If you have the best of everything else then you may hear the difference. There are other factors that contribute more to sound quality than the pre-amp. For example, the quality of the recording, the player, the loudspeakers, the room acoustics, and the power amplifier. If you compare the specifications of each components in the chain in terms of just frequency response, dynamic range and total harmonic distortions, you can already see that the preamp is the least of your concern. It functions very much like a power amp but it deals with much lower level of signals.

Room acoustics and loudspeakers are two important factors. If you compare two different brands of speakers at the same price point (say $1,000) you will hear the difference immediately, but you may have much more difficult time hearing the difference between a $1,000 preamp and a Denon AVR3808. I tried it and found that it was a waste of time. Some day I would like to try out a higher end preamp such as a McIntosh or Classe, if and when I manage to get a pair of something like the B&W 802D just to make sure the speaker has high enough resolution to begin with.

 

[pearsall001]

I've been down that road before myself. I had some pretty good stuff to boot...a Conrad Johnson tube pre & a Krell ss preamp. Both pre's had a HT bypass which made it a snap to go between HT & two channel listening.

Both have been sold & I am just as pleased with my NAD T773 avr handling the two channel preamp duties along with the HT. Truth be told, I don't miss either of them one bit.

If you do want to give one a listen (and you probably should just to scratch that itch)...make sure it comes with a solid return policy just in case you don't hear any difference.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Is there any noticeable sound improvement or benefits using a pre- amp with a power amp, as to just using my Denon receiver as my pre-amp? This way I can still have my surround when I want it and have dedicated stereo too.

Some people think there is a difference and some think there is not a difference between a stereo analog preamp vs. a receiver's preamp section.

Like everyone says, the correct answer is always "It depends".

It depends on the source, the speakers, room, components, amps, and it depends on the individual.

Only you can truly tell.

I mean who should you believe?

Most audio component reviewers will tell you that a separate dedicated analog stereo preamp gives you the best sound possible - when combined with a great amp, speakers, room, and source.

Mark Levinson and other high-end companies still make $20,000 stereo preamps. Krell still makes $10,000 preamps. Bryston still makes $4,000 preamps.

Who should you believe?

The answer is YOURSELF.