What's the Purpose of a Preamplifier?
Read Time: Approx. 9 min.
TL;DR
- Preamplifiers are always necessary: They boost weak audio signals to line level for proper signal gain throughout the audio chain
- A Preamplifier sits between your sources (turntable, DAC, CD player) and your power amplifier, before speakers/headphones
- Standalone units offer best performance and upgrade flexibility, while integrated amplifiers provide convenience and cost savings
Hi-Fi Preamplifiers: The Complete Guide for Audiophiles
Ask most audiophiles whether they think a preamplifier is an essential component in your signal chain, and hopefully, they'll all say yes. Preamplifiers are a large topic in the audiophile community, with many asking, "What's the purpose?" and pondering whether they actually need one in their hi-fi system or not.
Well, we're here to tell you that preamplifiers DO have a purpose in your audio system, and they're worth investing in if you don't already own one. Hi-fi preamplifiers bridge the gap between weak source signals and power amplifiers, providing signal amplification, volume control, source switching, and impedance matching.
Whether you're connecting your first turntable or designing a high-end separates system, chasing the perfect sound is addictive, and it starts with the right configuration. This comprehensive guide explores everything from basic functionality to advanced setup considerations, helping you navigate the complex world of hi-fi preamplification.
The Audio Component Most Audiophiles Forget
Understanding Preamp Basics
What is a Preamplifier?
Before we dive into what a preamplifier is, let's quickly refresh ourselves on what an amplifier is, because they're different components and often mistaken for one another.
An amplifier–think your headphone amplifier or speaker/stereo amplifier–is a device that provides power to your speakers and headphones. It takes a low-voltage input signal coming from a DAC or another source, and uses a power supply to increase both the voltage and current to levels that can physically move speaker drivers. The amplifier sits at the end of the signal chain, right before your speakers or headphones.
The preamplifier comes before the amplifier in the signal chain. A preamplifier is a device that boosts weak audio signals to line level for proper signal gain throughout the audio chain. Its primary function is to increase gain. Every time an amplifier is used in a signal chain, it's referred to as a gain stage. Every gain stage boosts the signal to a level that's useful for the next device in the signal chain.
"Line Level" is the standard that an audio signal's voltage gain is at when transmitting analog sound through or between audio equipment. Your CD player, turntable, or streaming device can produce relatively weak signals that need amplification to reach line level. Once line level is reached, courtesy of the preamp, the signal is sent to the amplifier.
Types of Preamplifiers
There are many different types of preamplifiers, but for all intents and purposes, we're covering dedicated preamps and phono preamps. There are additional types of preamps that are not covered at length in this guide.
Because nothing in the hi-fi audio industry is ever linear, there are not one, not two, but three main types of preamplifiers. You've got the dedicated preamplifier, a phono-stage preamplifier, and a combination unit with a built-in preamp and phono preamp. Also worth mentioning are additional types like tube preamplifiers, solid-state preamplifiers, and microphone preamplifiers.
- Dedicated Preamplifier: Increases gain. Features a volume/gain control and I/O switching
- Phono-Stage Preamplifier: Also known as a phono preamplifier. Amplifies the signal from a turntable and applies RIAA equalization. Most modern phono preamps offer MM/MC impedance switching for Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges
- Phono Preamp & Preamplifier: A preamplifier with a built-in phono stage
From there, you've got various forms and formats, including standalone units and integrated amplifiers. Integrated amplifiers combine preamp and power amp functions in a single chassis. These are a great option for listeners who are in the initial phase of building a hi-fi system or are limited on space. The Pass Labs INT-60 Integrated Amplifier is a speaker amplifier and preamplifier. While a standalone preamplifier provides the best performance and upgrade flexibility, an integrated amplifier offers convenience and cost savings. We often say that separates are better than combination units, but ultimately, that decision comes down to your budget and audio needs.
The Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier is an integrated headphone amplifier and preamplifier. Shortly after Pass Labs designed the HPA-1 as a headphone amplifier, they discovered it also worked well as a preamp. So while many purchase it intending to use it for headphone amplification, it can double as a preamp in a hi-fi system.
What is the Purpose of a Preamplifier?
The true value of preamplifiers lies in their multifaceted role beyond signal amplification. Key functions of a dedicated preamplifier include impedance matching between sources and power amplifiers, volume control, and source switching for multiple inputs.
Now, a preamp isn't the ultimate solution to all of your audio problems. It won't address any issues you may have with sound quality, but it will make sure you're getting every last percentage point of the good audio you're already getting.
Do I Need a Preamplifier?
Arguably, the easiest question to answer is "Do I need a preamplifier?" because the answer is always yes. Regardless of whether you have a headphone amp or a speaker/stereo amplifier, you will still need a preamplifier or a preamp stage to get your music from a source to your amplified destination. Preamplifiers are a crucial component in any hi-fi setup, especially large home audio systems.
Now, deciding what type of preamplifier to get depends on your audio needs. If you own a turntable, you'll need a phono stage, either in the form of a standalone phono preamp or a preamp with a built-in phono stage. Consider the standalone phono preamp if you already have a dedicated preamp. If you do not have a dedicated preamp, consider a combo unit with a built-in phono stage.
If you have an amplifier but no preamp stage, then you'll need a preamplifier. And if you already have a unit with both, you'll want to confirm there's enough power through the preamp and amplifier stages to run efficiently. If not, you may want to consider adding a dedicated power amplifier.
Preamplifiers for Every Audio System: Our Picks
Chord Electronics Suzi Pre Preamplifier Phono Stage
Preamplifier with Phono Stage
The Chord Suzi Pre is a compact, three-input preamplifier with a built-in MM/MC phono stage and headphone amplifier. With two preamp gain options (high and low) and three load options for MC cartridges (listed below), the Suzi Pre can serve as the phono preamp for your favorite turntable. When paired with the Suzi Power Amplifier, the component transforms into an integrated amplifier.
Manley Labs Oasis Phono Preamp
Phono Preamp & Preamplifier
Built with Manley's signature all-tube circuitry, the Manley Labs Oasis Phono Preamplifier features carefully selected vacuum tubes that provide the warm, musical character that vinyl enthusiasts enjoy. The Oasis provides a quieter, blacker background than older linear PSU designs while maintaining exceptional detail and dynamics. With cartridge compatibility and switchable gain settings, the Oasis is the perfect phono preamp for audiophiles who want reliable performance in their hi-fi system.
Pass Labs XP-17 Preamplifier
Phono Preamplifier
The Pass Labs XP-17 Preamplifier is a reference-level component that embodies the renowned Pass Labs sound signature, delivering exceptional clarity, detail, and musicality. Featuring a discrete Class A design, the XP-17 offers a wide range of features to enhance your audio setup. With its balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs, precision volume control, and low-noise circuitry, this preamplifier ensures optimal signal integrity and transparency. Meticulously crafted with premium components and housed in a sleek and elegant chassis, the Pass Labs XP-17 is the epitome of audio refinement, offering audiophiles and music enthusiasts a truly immersive listening experience.
Pass Labs XP-12 Line Level Preamplifier
Preamplifier
The Pass Labs XP-12 line-level preamplifier is a sophisticated cornerstone of any high-end audio system. The XP-12 is meticulously designed to elevate your listening experience, offering unparalleled transparency and musicality. Boasting a fully balanced, pure Class A topology, this preamplifier delivers exquisite detail and dynamics, allowing you to rediscover your favorite music with newfound depth.
The XP-12's digital control system provides precise volume control and input selection, while its premium components ensure low noise and distortion for an ultra-clean signal path. With an excellent selection of inputs, you can connect all your favorite sources, from your DAC, turntable, CD player, music streamer, and more.
Chord Electronics ULTIMA PRE 3 Preamplifier
Preamplifier
The Chord Electronics ULTIMA Pre 3 Preamplifier is an advanced preamp with a slimmer and more streamlined I/O than the ULTIMA 2 model. The ULTIMA 3 is equipped with 5 analog inputs - two balanced and three unbalanced, or single-ended, all of which benefit from individual buffering and are selectively filtered against potential ingress from radio frequency interference.
The ULTIMA 3 Pre 3 works seamlessly in your hi-fi system along with your DAC, power amplifiers, headphones or loudspeakers, streamers, and more. The build quality from Chord is second to none, and the ULTIMA Pre 3 is a true audiophile-grade preamplifier.
Bricasti M20 Preamplifier
Preamplifier
Crafted with precision, the Bricasti M20 Preamplifier delivers an immersive analog experience marked by fluid, fast, and tonally balanced audio reproduction. At its core, the M20 features fully differential and independently buffered signal paths, ensuring superior isolation and purity of sound. This design choice contributes to its exceptional audio performance, allowing every detail of the music to be faithfully reproduced.
Powering the M20 is a trio of dynamic Class A linear power transformers, meticulously configured to provide clean and stable power to each component of the preamplifier. This robust power supply design ensures that the M20 operates with maximum efficiency and minimal distortion, allowing your hi-fi audio system to reach its full potential. Whether you're a discerning audiophile or a professional musician, the M20 is sure to elevate your listening experience to new heights.
Chord Electronics ULTIMA PRE 2 Preamplifier
Preamplifier
Featuring unrivaled connectivity and minimal coloration, the Chord Electronics ULTIMA PRE 2 can be the hub of your Hi-Fi system without taking anything away from the incoming signal. The ULTIMA PRE 2 is part of Chord Electronics' "ULTIMA" series, which represents their top-of-the-line audio products. The ULTIMA PRE 2 is the ultimate in preserving your pristine audio quality - be assured that you won't have any degradation when adding a preamplifier to your signal chain. The ULTIMA PRE 2 not only works well with other Chord Products like the DAVE DAC, ULTIMA 6 power amplifier, and more but also provides clean line-level audio transmission in any system. With minimal colouration, the front panel of the ULTIMA PRE 2 and the ULTIMA PRE 3 provide all the control necessary to access all your connected sources.
Integrated Amplifiers, Combination Units
Bryston BR-20 Preamplifier
DAC, Preamplifier with phono-stage and Streamer capabilities
The BR-20 stands as Bryston's most advanced preamplifier, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge analog and digital technologies. It combines the acclaimed BDA-3 DAC with an updated BDP streaming platform, delivering exceptional digital performance from both built-in and external sources. The unit features an enhanced internal headphone amplifier, boasting increased power and lower output impedance to effortlessly drive even demanding headphones. For vinyl enthusiasts and those seeking expanded connectivity, the BR-20 offers Bryston's finest phono preamp and a new HDMI card as optional upgrades.
TEAC Audio UD-701N DAC, Preamp, Headphone Amp
Headphone Amplifier, DAC, and Preamplifier
With USB DAC functions as the foundation, a network player, an analog preamp, and a headphone amp, the TEAC Audio UD-701N is a truly versatile component. As a USB DAC and network player, 22.5MHz DSD and 384kHz/32-bit PCM are supported. Using the newly developed TEAC ΔΣ discrete DAC, all digital signals are converted to analog signals with high audio quality. Not only can this be used for all kinds of digital playback, from systems centered on a PC or Mac to audio server systems using NAS and streaming playback, but it can also fulfill a core role in systems as a preamp with analog and digital inputs. The UD-701N is an all-around unit that flexibly supports new listening styles in a new age. Along with allowing listening through speakers in combination with a power amplifier, it also supports balanced headphone output using a 4-pin XLR jack.
Naim Uniti Atom Streamer Amplifier
DAC, Preamplifier & Amplifier
The Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a specialized version of the acclaimed Uniti Atom music streamer, tailored for the ultimate solo listening experience. Unlike traditional headphone amplifiers and DACs that require a separate computer or streaming device, the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is an all-in-one streaming system – simply connect your headphones and enjoy. It also doubles as an exceptional streaming pre-amplifier, allowing you to effortlessly add a power amp and speakers or active speakers.
With both balanced and unbalanced line outputs, the Uniti Atom can function as a preamplifier and connect to speakers, providing versatility beyond just headphone listening.
Pass Labs HPA-1c Headphone Amplifier
Headphone Amplifier with Preamp Outs
Pass Labs most impressive headphone amp, the HPA-1c features a state-of-the-art power supply for exceptional performance. With a single-ended 1/4" headphone output and a large and extremely accurate volume control, the HPA-1c outputs enough power to drive the most power-hungry headphones with ease, including the HiFiMan SUSVARA.
The other side of the audiophile coin for the HPA-1c is that it can also function as a high-quality standalone line-level preamplifier. The preamp function can stand on its own with preamps in much higher price ranges, and represents a tremendous value for a unit of this size. You're getting a high-end, Class A headphone amplifier and preamplifier in one device. The preamp section is capable of driving a typical power amplifier load (10kΩ or higher) with very low output impedance.
Manley Labs Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamp Headphone Amp
Preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier
The Manley Labs Neo-Classic 300B RC is a premium tube preamplifier that showcases the legendary warmth and musicality of the revered 300B triode tube in a line-stage application. This meticulously crafted preamp combines classic tube topology with modern engineering refinements, featuring Manley Labs signature hand-wired construction and carefully selected components throughout the signal path. The 300B tubes provide exceptional linearity and harmonic richness, delivering the kind of natural, three-dimensional presentation that has made this tube type a favorite among audiophiles for decades. With its robust power supply, high-quality volume control, and multiple line inputs, the Neo-Classic 300B RC offers both sonic excellence and practical functionality for serious listening systems.
Chord Electronics DAVE DAC Preamp Amplifier
Headphone Amplifier, DAC, and Preamplifier
The DAVE is Chord's flagship and premier hi-fi desktop DAC. It's known for its exceptional audio performance and innovative technology, providing some of the best conversion and detail retrieval of any DAC on the market. The DAVE DAC uses proprietary techniques never seen before, making it one of the most advanced DAC/preamp amplifiers from Chord Electronics.
The DAC, which is also a reference-level headphone amplifier and ‘digital preamp’, distills twenty years of Chord research, development, and advanced engineering into one device. At its heart lies a new version of the advanced Spartan 6 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with 1,000x the processing power of the traditional mass-produced chip DAC. DAVE's FPGA is loaded with over a million lines of code to confront complex timing issues head-on, with speed and precision.
Dragon Cables
There are a lot of reasons why you need to make sure your audio cables are not afterthoughts. A great hi-fi system is not defined by its components, but by the cables used to power and connect them.
Amps and preamps are limited by the quality of the cables that are connected to them, and that's why we recommend our Dragon Audio Cables. Our award-winning Silver Dragon Premium Interconnect Cable is the perfect link between your new preamplifier and existing hi-fi gear.
But that just scratches the surface. We make high-end audio cables for every audio application possible, whether you need a power cable, digital cable, network cable, speaker cable, USB, headphone, or IEM–we've got it all!
Verdict
Investing in a high-quality preamplifier will transform how you enjoy your audio system. Beyond simply adjusting volume, a well-designed preamp provides clean gain, impedance matching, and signal conditioning that allows your sources to perform at their best while ensuring optimal compatibility with your power amplifier.
The choice between tube and solid-state, phono, integrated, and separate depends on your specific priorities for sound quality, convenience, budget, and future upgrade plans. Take time to understand impedance matching, gain staging, and setup considerations–these fundamentals will reward you with excellent sound quality and reliable performance. Invest in high-quality Dragon Audio Cables, grab your favorite headphones or speakers, and get ready to enjoy your music like never before.
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