DJSMOKKE

Amplifier Pre Amp


Would a seperate pre amp really make a difference?

I have a Parasound HCA 1200 amplifier that I am driving with an old Pioneer reciever (SX-780) silver face, analog. Driving the amp from the headphones jack. I am thinking of getting a Carver or Adcom pre amp. Do you think it will sound audibly better? I'll tell you this, my speakers sound way better through the Parasound than they did with the Pioneer receiver driving them. Particularly in the bass. Any thoughts?

There are two levels of audio, mic level and Line Level. Mic level is not enough to drive an amplifier and requires a preamp. (Many amps have a built-in preamp and, depending upon input, will access it or bypass it.)

Line level does not require a preamp. In fact, if you do try to run line level into a preamp, all you'll do is distort the audio something horrible. No if's, and's, or but's about it.

Why two different levels? The stronger, higher lline level will travel further with less degradation. But the weaker, lower mic level will maintain better frequency response over the same distance.

CD players, DVD players, tape players, use line level. Some old turntables also use line level from the ceramic cartridge pickups with the needle. But for better quality vinyl playback, the better turntables used mic level magnetic cartridges.