Preamps

An audiophile preamp accepts audio inputs (mostly analog), switches the inputs and raises the level of the selected input from line level to a point where a power amplifier can boost the sound to a more meaningful volume.  Audiophile preamps can take digital inputs. Audiophile preamps can be solid state or tube designs. Preamps can also be merged with power amps to make an integrated amp.

To read reviews of many of the best affordable as well as audiophile grade stereo preamps – check out this audiophile resource page:

What Do Audio “Specs” Really Mean?

Preamps

Roger Skoff writes about comparing hi-fi gear by the numbers......

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Sound or Looks?

Preamps

Steven Stone looks at the audiophile equivalent of the lady or the tiger......

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A Sense of Balance

Preamps • One Comment

Do you use your balance control? Do you even HAVE a balance control? If not, Steven Stone has a couple of suggestions for adding one to your system.

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Why No Perfect Preamps?

Preamps • One Comment

A preamp's job is simple - adjust the volume level and choose a source. How come we have yet to hear a completely transparent preamp?...

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Outlaw Audio and Their Model 978

Preamps • One Comment

Audiophile Review never posts on Thursday, but Outlaw Audio just sent this email out to their customers... ...

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To Mod or Not To Mod…

Preamps • One Comment

That is the question. Whether it’s nobler (and more cost effective) to muck around inside your electronics than purchase a new model…

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Selling Audio Gear – The Customer is Always Right (Mostly)

Preamps

Part of the Audiophile experience is buying and eventually selling audio gear. Most of the time everything works out, but sometimes things...

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Tone Controls – the Vestigial Tails of Audio

Preamps

Treble, bass, and midrange controls are about as forward-thinking a feature as a buggy whip holder. Here's why......

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The Hum Patrol and the Joys of a Meridian 561

Preamps • One Comment

What do you do when your system starts to hum along and teaching it the words doesn’t work? Sometimes, you punt…

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All On or All Off?

Preamps

A stereo system can consume a lot of energy. Steven Stone looks at his own audio energy usage and how it's changed over the years. It's all...

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All On or All Off?

Preamps

A stereo system can consume a lot of energy. Steven Stone looks at his own audio energy usage and how it's changed over the years. It's all...

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Why Are There So Few Multi-Channel Analog Preamps?

Preamps

Steven Stone wonders why multi-channel analog preamplifiers are the red-headed step-children of audio components.

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Preamps – Active, Passive, or none?

Preamps

What is the most difficult piece of gear to choose? Preamps. Most audiophiles have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a preamp that delivers...

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The Art of Value

Preamps

Next week I'll be looking a scads of new products from a multitude of manufacturers at RMAF. Which ones will succeed? The answer depends on...

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In Praise of a Controversial Preamp

Preamps • 3 Comments

Sometimes a product gets reviewed and raved about, but because of the nature of the rave, it doesn’t have the final results that you would expect after a positive review. The Morrison E.L.A.D. is just such a product. Probably the only time that Peter Aczel and I will agree an anything…

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Lexicon Does it Again

Preamps • One Comment

Lexicon was at the center of controversy not too long ago and with the move they just pulled with company's MC-12 HD B pre/pro, they could...

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Why Classé Bet The Farm on The CP-800 Stereo Preamp and Why It’s Going To Pay Off…

Preamps • One Comment

Classe is aware of the current face of the audio industry. So in a smart move the company has released a product that addresses that very...

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Do You Really Need a Preamp?

Preamps • One Comment

For many people, a preamplifier feels like a luxury that is not wholly necessary to a system. But is that the case? What can a preamplifier bring to your system, if anything at all?

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Five Classic Preamplifiers Still Worth a Look Today

Preamps • One Comment

Some components have longevity. No matter how much time goes by, they always seem to retain their quality. These are five preamplifiers...

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