Search Reviews By Category
Home Theater Review's Best of 2012 Awards
It's that time of year again. The Home Theater Review staff has looked over all of the year's impressive offerings - of which there were many - and narrowed it down to what they believe to be the best of 2012. Read More
Classe CP-800 Stereo Preamp Processor Reviewed
The tests that Andrew Robinson put the Classe CP-800 stereo preamp processor through were extensive, encompassing stereo and multi-channel playback at a variety of resolutions. Read on to find out how the CP-800 fared. Read More
Home Theater Review's 2011 Best Of Awards
For a third time, the editorial staff of Home Theater Review have examined the year's offerings in AV gear and decided what they deem to be the best in every category. Find out who is the best of the best. Read More
Audio Research Corporation 40th Anniversary Reference Preamp Reviewed
Audio Research is a company with a long and respected history in the audiophile world. To honor that history the company created the 40th Anniversary Reference Preamp. Does the amp do Audio Research's legacy justice? Ken Taraszka investigates. Read More
McIntosh C500 Preamplifier Reviewed
McIntosh continues to offer beautiful, albeit expensive components, with the McIntosh C500 stereo preamplifier. But is it worth its price tag? Reviewer Brian Kahn put the C500 to the test to find out Read More
Classe Omega Pre-Amplifier MKIII Reviewed
Managing Editor Andrew Robinson appreciates the simplicity and quality of the Classé Omega Pre-Amplifier MKIII preamp. It may not have all the bells and whistles of the latest preamplifiers, but what is does have is something far more important. Read More
Parasound Halo P3 Stereo Preamplifier Reviewed
How many near state-of-the-art preamps are priced under $800? The Halo P3 is on that short list. The P3 is musical, involving, has a built-in phono stage, and is as easy to use as a light switch. It's also one of Andrew Robinson's all-time favorite preamplifiers. Read More
Home Theater Review's 2010 Best of Home Theater Awards
The Editors of Home Theater Review have extensively searched, reviewed, and now chosen the best of the best home theater and audio gear, HDTVs and beyond. Click through for the winners in each category from the likes of Vizio, Samsung, Sharp and many others. Read More
Krell Evolution 202 Stereo Preamplifier Reviewed
The middle of the line Evolution 202 which, in Jerry Del Colliano's opinion, is the 202 is "nothing short of breathtaking." With its 16-bit balanced resistor ladder analog volume the 202 is the preamp of your dreams for only $15,000. Read More
Audio Research Corporation Ref 5 Preamp Reviewed
There are stereo preamplifiers and then there is the Ref 5 from Audio Research, a US based company, who knows a thing or two about making two-channel gear audiophile's crave for they've been at it since the beginning and their latest creation, the Ref 5, is their best yet. Read More
Parasound Halo JC 2 Preamplifier Reviewed
San Francisco based Parasound and famed designer John Curl go together like peanut butter a jelly for the two have had a hugely successful partnership for years, which culminated in the creation of Parasound's lauded Halo line of products, all of which Curl had a hand in, and the hugely popular JC 2 Preamplifier reviewed here. Read More
Stereo Preamplifier Wiki
1.0 What is an Audiophile Stereo Preamp?2.0 Types of Stereo Preamps
2.1 Solid State Preamps
2.2 Tube Preamps
2.3 Digital Preamps (with DACs)
1.0 What is an Audiophile Stereo Preamp?
A stereo preamp is an audio component that receives and switches audio sources, usually in the analog domain, as the listener sees fit. An audio preamp also boosts the line level signal from a source component like an iPod or CD player to a level that a power amplifier can use to power speakers.
The idea of a separate amp and preamp became popular in the 1970s among audiophiles for performance (and vanity) reasons. The idea that each component would have its own power supply was common wisdom as to why a consumer should upgrade from a receiver. Audiophiles loved the idea of mixing and matching components to create different sonic flavors in their systems.
An integrated amplifier is a component with a stereo preamp and power amp in one chassis. The main difference between an integrated amp and a receiver is the lack of some sort of tuner.
The AV preamp, derived for the home theater and surround sound from the stereo preamp, has most of the features of an AV receiver without power amplification of any kind.
2.0 Types of Stereo Preamps
2.1 Solid State preamps
The solid state stereo preamp is the most common variety, using transistors mainly to boost the signal from line level to a voltage that a power amplifier likes. The solid state stereo preamp was the first to come to market with remote controls.
2.2 Tube Preamps
Another popular variety of stereo preamp is the tube preamp, which can use various levels of vacuum tubes to boost gain in an audio system. Most tube preamps today also come with remote control. A Tube preamp requires replacing the vacuum tubes periodically or the performance will suffer greatly. A solid state preamp is a more "set it and forget it" component, which some consumers like better.
2.3 Digital Preamps (with DACs)
A relatively new category of preamp is the digital preamp, which unlike tube preamps and solid state preamps can accept a digital audio signal from products like an iPod or a CD transport. The internal digital to analog converter converts the digital signal to analog and it is boosted from there for use by the power amp.
