It also means something else in the UK haha

Unfortunately the lengthy answer did not explain the most important thing: how the pre-amp affects sound and why!

@Thom Moore but he's talking about BHK preamp not the BHK amp. I've never used a BHK preamp I don't have an opinion about it but, in my humble experience, a good tube preamp improves the sound a lot... or distorts the sound in a beautiful way if you prefer ;)

Thom Moore ha ha...

But he did not tell why

none of that should open the sound stage or create the air around instruments he was describing it seems likely it was doing some sort of signal processing, would be interesting to compare the waveforms and see what actually was different.

@@Antimonkat Well I don't have enough technical/electrical engineering/psychoacoustics knowledge to explain exactly why, but I bet it could, theoretically. Impedance mismatches could cause a slight rolloff of bass frequencies, or maybe even some sort of dynamic compression of the signal or maybe some slight changes in the distortion characteristics. Idk if we'd hear that as a difference in soundstage or "space" but I wouldn't discount the idea..

I remember a time when Hi-fi was simple to set up and operate. You just connected the record deck, cassette player and CD player to your amp, then wire the amp to your speakers Now you need a degree in advanced physics just to connect a CD player to an amp. Pre amps? DACs?

@@petermitchell6348 Welcome to the 20th century. Lol

@Luke Schneider I bought a Frank Van Alstine preamp. Cost about $1100.00. The preamp I retired was also one of Frank's preamp's. I had it for about 8 years or so. Cheers Charlie

No, I like quick answers

I have never heard ls50 sounding any better than ok. But yet there are people swearing on them xD

awdadw adwad ... ssssshhhh ... you need to keep that a secret. 😂🤣 I know what you are saying. The reviewers have gone past the line in their over enthusiastic reviews.

You can't, you can just hear the flaws with much more clarity.

DACs have TosLink, Coaxial, USB, BlueTooth inputs. All of them can have external switchers to add more than one source of one kind, and a user is not limited to the number of the input sockets provided in the particular pre-amp. aliexpress.com/item/32852823220.html

I suspect the difference was in hidden EQ processing of the signal in the pre-amp. It just highlights some frequencies like 5 kHz, 8-10 kHz bands (+6dB), and suddenly listener starts to hear additional details. I tried it with EQ, and those highlights add some magic you probably could hear from Hi-End devices that cost 10x of regular system instead of $100 for EQ.

Test equipment.

Good question

@Thom Moore ... How many confirmed scientific facts have been proven false when new materials and methods of measurements surfaced ? There was a time when the consensus of the smartest believed the earth was flat . There is much to learn . Many, who believe they know more than others are truly the most ignorant . Thank you for confirming this to be fact .

@Thom Moore . . I agree with you in regards to the ridiculous prices people will pay for cables . However to declare that audio technology has been solved is a moronic statement . There are many variables that remain unresolved . There are factors that exist that currently cannot be measured and have yet to be discovered . When I was younger I reached a point where I decided I have learned more information than I could possibly put to use . Now that I am older I have accepted the fact that I am lacking in many regards . The education system has focused their curriculum in fields that will benefit society . Better audio reproduction is not very high on the list . The advancements achieved over the last 5 decades has been significant . Fortunately , we have people like Paul that continue to push the envelope and put in the effort to increase the quality of audio reproduction . Those overpriced cables provide the funds needed to keep the labs stocked with the equipment and personnel required to improve audio reproduction . Have you noticed an improvement in audio over the last 20 years ? If the answer is yes than why are you criticizing Paul ? You should be grateful . No good deed goes unpunished .

@Thom Moore ... You are free to disagree . You are entitled to your opinion . However , I am curious . When you are typing in your responses , do you do so with an angry face ? Why so intense ?

@Thom Moore ... Outstanding response . You are intelligent and entertaining. Conflicting opinions are beneficial to all . Sometimes we get caught up in our beliefs and get blinded by anger . I find that I learn a great deal more when i listen to opposing viewpoints . This is why we have 2 ears and 1 mouth . We must learn to listen twice as much as we speak . That is the path to increase our intelligence.If you surround ourselves with people who always agree with you , you will not learn anything new . Audio reproduction has improved immensely over the years and I support all efforts to continue the trend . Progress may be made in small increments at this point but why complain . At the end of the day we are all benefiting. I have yet to meet someone who enjoys and wants bad audio .

Team 101 Audiophile It's either OK or it isn't. Whether it's your opinion is irrelevant. You've left out the rather important issue of level.

@@EJP286CRSKW Some DACs have convenient volume control with no THD degradation when volume level is low. If you are about maximum Vrms of DACs vs Pre-amps then most Amps have maximum Vrms sensitivity of 1-2V that can load 29dBV gain Amps up to 100-400W with 8 Ohms impedance speakers, while DACs and Pre-amps can have 2-4 Vrms output. More than enough for most amps to show full power on 8 Ohms speakers.

Alexander Belov I don't know why you're telling me. I'm the one who mentioned it.

It's helpful to think of ther system rather than the components within the system if you can. It's one long chain. Op amps can be alright if properly implemented by designers that know what to listen for, but the better products (at least sonically) rely upon discrete circuitry or a hybrid version of that. The idea of a separate preamplifier adding to the chain to improve the sound of a DAC is one that's always been difficult for me to wrap my head around, but if the preamp's of a certain quality it's always true. Go figure.

@@Paulmcgowanpsaudio ah yes the synergy of the combined system, something I also have trouble to wrap my head around, thanks very much for your reply! ;-)

SACD uses DSD encoding instead of PCM (used by WAV and FLAC files), usually, DSD sounds better than PCM but it really depends on the DAC (some DACs sounds better with DSD others with PCM) but the differences are very subtle not a night and day thing. If the source/mix is good both formats will sound amazing and pretty similar. Based on my humble subjective not scientific and probly wrong experience: I prefer SACD/DSD over PCM most of the time, it just sounds more analog (and I'm an analog guy). But You have to take into account that SACD is not a versatile format at all... you cannot rip a SACD to your PC/Mac easily and you cannot take the digital output of your SACD player and just connect it to a DAC easily neither... high chances you will have to rely on the analog output of your SACD player instead if you want to hear the native DSD signal.. so if your SACD player is not very good (or not at the same level of the rest of the system) well you are f... :D In a nutshell: go SACD if you really love the format and know its perks and caveats. if you want versatility go CD/wav/flac instead.

Gary Llewellyn ... it’s the imperfection of the tube that makes it sound so good. The second harmonics etc. I love my tube preamp that goes into an integrated SS amp (in power amp mode)

Gary Llewellyn ... bcos it’s easier to just use a tube! 😂🤣

@@hushpuppykl well yeah..But I still wanna know! :)

Gary Llewellyn ... ssssshhh ... don’t tell anyone but it’s a conspiracy. They want to maintain different market segments so that it keeps them afloat. 😬

@@hushpuppykl GOTCHA! Mum's tha word! :/

I tried many DACS (including PSaudio) in the same price range doing AB test and all of them benefit from the help of a high-end preamp.

@@ThomasAndStereo Why would that be?

@@phomchick I have absolutely no idea but it's my experience. Perhaps an engineer can explain it. Me, I just listen.

@@ThomasAndStereo the logical conclusion is that certain high-end preamps must add a euphonious distortion that you find pleasing.

@@phomchick yup, That is one logical explanation.

Hahaha! Just put a kink in your XLR cables to slow down the flow of electrons.

There are external components for this. E.g. aliexpress.com/item/32857859719.html

I rather tend to believe Paul is talking about the fact that some people like the ADDED effect of even harmonic distortion from tube amps. Personally I prefer the cleaner audio going direct. I’m not saying that impedance is irrelevant but usually your DAC is with low enough output impedance to drive any power amp equally as well as a preamp. Do you have some example?

Thom Moore I suspect Paul’s story is about the fact that tubes can ADD even harmonic DISTORTION and some people find that to be an improvement. Personally I prefer the pure original audio signal with nothing added.

Use RCA cables

@@Jordonater do different types of rca affect sound quality or? It doesnt matter which one i use?

@@aichan5235 You just need to make sure you have two cables. 1 for left and 1 for right. I would say not to spend to much but get some with shielding.

@@aichan5235 What type of length do you need?

These are good i own one: www.amazon.co.uk/Fisual-Havana-Custom-Stereo-Metres-Black/dp/B012BB2B1G/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=Fisual+Havana&qid=1576447096&sr=8-15

Well, most DAC these days have a volume control so it acts like a preamp too. I have heard the Stellar gain cell and we added a preamp to it. Brought it to the next level. Infact, I tried many similar price DACs and adding a highend preamp does make a positive difference.

@@ThomasAndStereo That is interesting. I don't doubt it. I guess my point was more to the high end stuff that the majority can afford (like the PSA Stellar series). Adding a high-end pre to a Stellar system is a good sized investment on a system geared to be affordable(ish). (Love your videos by the way)

@@stonefree1911 Thanks Gregory. All these high end dac sounds great as preamp but from my experience, 99% of them can benefit from a good preamp. Only way to be convince is to spend time doing AB test. It's really hard to imagine and I completely understand that. The difference can be picked up in seconds while some take longer listening sessions. One story that pops to my mind is my friend who owns a DIY speaker system. He has the Hegel HD30 and thought his DAC was good enough as a preamp given it's like $4k. I changed his mind by lending him my preamp. That is just one story and I have others too. Thanks for watching my videos.

Thomas & Stereo hi Thomas, I have a Sprout100, and I’m looking to buy a power amp now and then buy a Schiit Freya+ in a few months. Any recommendations on a power amp to pair?i have a Denafrips Ares2 dac, so want a power amp that suits the Freya+ and Ares2

@@shahidyt I know many people will probably suggest the Vidar. I have it and it's fine. Nothing mind-blowing like the Freya. Also, I don't know how it compares to amps in its price range so I am not going to make a video on it. Regarding what other amps to suggest, it depends on your budget. Sub $1k I actually don't have a lot of experience.

it's not about perfect recreation, but most enjoyable one. Adding a pre will colour the sound, usually make it more spacious and 3d and that is what is usually wanted - pleasurement of listening. I also tried going with a studio grade DAC to various power amps and it was good, but adding a good pre was always making it more enjoyable presentation.

@@awdadwadwad1723 well written. Many use equipment such as a preamplifier as an equalizer to get the sound you want, but then you color the sound and change the original sound! In many cases you do not have good speakers or sound source.

@@awdadwadwad1723 so? Just buy a Bose system!

7029100 except bose sounds like shit. Thin spiked trebles and muffled af bass

Nope is not about perfect recreation. There is no such thing as that and also not wanted. I want to have the best soundstage and sound that suits me. If i want to hear it as the producer i just buy a cheap studio monitor and listen as the recording folks do it. And that is a very boring sound.

Becouse we are real audiophiles and do not ever use EQ or DSP. If the gear doesn't sound good in you room you get a different one.

@@awdadwadwad1723 what a load of nonsense clearly you're not audiophile if you did you would use it. What do you think manufacturers do with their equipment when designing it?

Most amps do not have USB, and no power amps ever do.

A USB DAC is not connected to an amp via USB but via it’s output ports. Just to keep it simple.

Flemming Nybo but, those outputs normally are not variable, unless it’s a DAC/Preamp. Stand alone DACs are fixed output almost always.

Thom Moore the writer was talking about a power amp, NOT an integrated. It might benefit you to actually listen, read and comprehend the subject at hand, for a change, rather than blindly attacking him as is your norm. He isn’t my hero. I just don’t harbor a totally irrational, blinding hate for him as you seem to have.

Thom Moore Oh, as a power amp does not include a DAC, it would be insane for it to have a USB input, the digital equivalent of a “road to nowhere”. And as for Amazon searches, at best, Amazon gets a D-. Their search engine sucks.

Lay off.

mag 1981 truth hurts you know don’t knock it 🤓

calling a DAC a Dreadful Audio Compression is funny.. Compressors, gates and expanders deal with compression and if you were referring to compressing and decompressing the data (as in encoding/de-encoding it) when required, today's processors have no issues with that kind of workload. cheers!

Durox Kilo well my full explanation of DAC can be found on this channel by searching for the video What Is DAC ? 👍😀

@@sheer2waist637 ok, thanks

I don't believe Paul works that way...

If you actually paid attention to the entire video you would know you are wrong.

@@stonefree1911 suit yourself.

@@Bannockburn111 about what?

@Thom Moore good comeback bro.