Should I get a Stereo preamp?

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks, Sheryl.

That’s Miss Crow to you!

 

[killdozzer]

Yep. I think “optimal” setup is salient.

Most of us who have been in this hobby for a long time have owned, heard, and experienced many different components and setups. We have also read/heard a lot of subjective details about better sounds from various components and brands. It goes round and round.

At the end of the day, the best system is the one that sounds great to you.

And take all opinions with a huge grain of salt.

With a boulder of salt! Or just get a job at the salt harvesting factory.

No, I get what you're saying. But there's really no need for that much salt. Sometimes we're treating the whole thing way to serious. Like giving 100-200$ more would mean directrly funding terorists. It's just some gear for enjoying music.

BTW, psychology teaches us that enjoyment can easily be augmented thru storytelling. A lot of those guys/girls who pay thru their noses for a piece of equipment WILL probably experience a more intense joy, it's just that the joy itself won't be in any way derrived from the equipment itself but from the storytelling.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

With a boulder of salt! Or just get a job at the salt harvesting factory.

No, I get what you're saying. But there's really no need for that much salt. Sometimes we're treating the whole thing way to serious. Like giving 100-200$ more would mean directrly funding terorists. It's just some gear for enjoying music.

BTW, psychology teaches us that enjoyment can easily be augmented thru storytelling. A lot of those guys/girls who pay thru their noses for a piece of equipment WILL probably experience a more intense joy, it's just that the joy itself won't be in any way derrived from the equipment itself but from the storytelling.

It’s all about enjoyment.

Storytelling, bragging rights, and pride of ownership are all important.

A lot of times I could stare at my components and just know they sound a lot better than some other components - bigger soundstage, better imaging, smoother sound, you know all the typical adjectives. And who’s going to argue with my very subjective opinion?

 

[killdozzer]

A lot of times I could stare at my components

I know exactly what you mean!! They don't even have to be turned on. Sometimes I just pass next to my speakers and think to myself; daaamn, how is it possible for such small box to perform so well while so loud.

I agree with the importance of other aspects. I'm not the "it may be ugly but it performs well" type. I just won't have it ugly.

 

[Cjamrr]

I

I am currently using a Parasound HCA 1500A 2 CH amp with a Denon x4200 receiver as a preamp for Home Theater and Stereo.
If I get the Parasound Zpre3 preamp will that unit be better than my Denon receiver as a preamp for Stereo?

I think you should look into the Don Sachs pre amp