I was asking regarding adding a preamp between dCS and a poweramp and received the mixed opinions; general ideas were a good preamp would worth it.
The confusion was what were the good preamps to improve my listening experience.
When I was using Rossini apex ditectly connected to Pass X600.8, I added Pass XP32 and the music became more realistic by a small margin. Later I upgraded the pass monoblocks to a steteo Soulution 511 and the music became much more holistic, frankly the sound was better without xp32.
Now I upgraded the preamp from Xp32 to Soulution 725 and alas! 725 changed the music a whole lot more real; now highs are more smoothly extended and the bass is more tight and authoritative.
Adding a preamp like Soulution 725 will definately improved the sound compared to going without the preamp!
I am sure there would be other wonderful preamps worth addind to dCS!
P.S. Due to the high cost, I bought a second hand 725 after checking the production year and previous owner of 725…
… and, of course, Soulution (along with Chord electronics and others) are fighting back with their use of Switch Mode Power Supplies for the high end. Controversial maybe?
I’ve always had amplifiers with linear power supplies. I was skeptical about non-linear power supplies, but I’m having to change my mind. I can confirm that the 717 is an incredible headroom reserve. It never struggles, even at high volumes.
