Bartok as a preamplifier

[AndyL]

Having routed my Bartok direct to active speakers for over a year, I decided to try via a preamp

My new SPL Phonitor 2 preamp/headamp (recommended on this forum) gives a significant improvement in SQ

I did not realise the impact of digital attenuation

I won’t be going back to direct

Shortlist of Pre-amps for Bartok into Active ATC System Please

The Story: I reduced my “stack” and wildly growing collection of cables, amps, turntables, cartridges, arms, speakers and anything musically shiny right down into a pair of active ATC SCM50 Towers, balanced cables and just a Bartok with Headphone outlet. Everything is now sourced from Tidal and Qobuz… I added an active JLAudio Fathom F113 run from the XLR speakers to make it a 2.1 system (Y Cables). Sounds best when running Bartok harder. Now I want to run the Bartok harder all the time which…