Gainclone and B1 pre-amp

[gainphile]

Seems like Nelson's preamp follows the minimalist philosophy.

Do you think it is a good idea to use this with GC ?

[AndrewT]

Originally posted by gainphile
Seems like Nelson's preamp follows the minimalist philosophy.

Do you think it is a good idea to use this with GC ?

no.
Use the pre-amp/buffer to condition the signal coming from the source or from the attenuator.

Once you have a low source impedance, the GC (as you call it) or any power amp will be able to perform well.

The purpose of the pre-amp/buffer is to make the signal better.
It is not intended to make the power amp better.

[juma]

Hi gainphile !

B1 is very easy to build and it's surely worth a try. It is common knowledge that GC (LM3875, LM3886) will benefit sonically from good buffer on its' input.

[Peter Daniel]

Originally posted by juma
It is common knowledge that GC (LM3875, LM3886) will benefit sonically from good buffer on its' input.

no, that it's not correct either. The GC (as you call it) does not need buffer on it's input. It's the inferior source, or passive attenuator, that needs it.

But certainly, B1 should work well with chip amp.

[juma]

Originally posted by Peter Daniel

... passive attenuator that needs it. ...

Yes, that's it, I tend to put the volume pot on GC's input

[AndrewT]

That's the wrong place.
A source buffer should be located inside the source casing, i.e. inside the CD player, tuner, sound card etc.
An attenuator buffer should be located at the attenuator.
The buffer gives the ability to drive all that comes after it, including the cables and other parasitics.