Experiment
Effects of a Preamplifier 2009.4.20
A 'preamp' is an audio device that controls the volume of individual audio equipment components. Hooked up with a power amp, it amplifies the final signal out of a CD or analog record. Despite volume control and source choice being the main purpose, it plays like a supporting role, though this is actually quite an important entity, having big influence on the sound and sound quality.
And so, that's why I asked the audio shop by borrowing a popular preamplifier and did my own comparison contest. What a luxurious event. The man at the shop said it would not only be fun, but educational as well, feeling like I achieved a purpose.
The preamps I gathered had their own individual and unique qualities. There was one preamp that was made up of four steel cases full of vacuum tubes, another designed with flashy red and gold colors, a commercial equipment-like preamp full of switches and meters made up another, and one was made by an elderly gentleman in Switzerland who sorted hundreds of parts down to one to come up with a hand made gem of a preamp. Changing the lineup of preamps, I listen to the same song repeatedly....
Strange world...it's the same song, but I feel there is a change in the way I hear the balance of instruments, the viscosity of the vocals, even the air itself feels different. They are all completely different. If I was able to see the vibrations in the room with my eyes, it would be easier to tell the difference. The seperation of left and right, the depth between front and rear, the way the bass sinks, the higher range passes through, the beauty in reverberation and the way it disappears.
Not saying which one is best, but I feel it really depends on taste. It's like lining up different, but beautiful paintings of a artist and asking "Which one do you like?" If possible, I would like to keep everything and decide which one I want to listen to depending on how I feel on those days....they are all so wonderful and make me feel so.
