# Preamps that work with the DS/PWD **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [July 22, 2014, 1:00pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/preamps-that-work-with-the-ds-pwd/1362 "2014-07-22T13:00:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lonson](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/lonson/32/249792_2.png) [@lonson](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/lonson)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 10:26am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/preamps-that-work-with-the-ds-pwd/1362/21 "2014-07-24T10:26:51Z")
> **magister said** > > > **alcarp said** Wow !!! A lot of folks using a preamp with the DSD. > > On the other hand, I continue to be surprised by how many people don’t use preamps. Putting aside issues of sound quality, I would find it difficult to go without my turntable, FM tuner, and SACD player. And I run a bi-amped setup, so it’s not convenient for me even to do a test without the preamp since I would need some adapters or different cables. And it sounds so darn good with the preamp that I confess I am not motivated to get the cables. I hear you. I have two inputs on my amp, so I can run a preamp (Decware CSP2+) into one input for my phono preamp and SACD player, and run the PWD Mk II straight into the other input. I was really surprised that I prefer the PWD Mk II without a preamp after running it with one for years, but I do. Looking forward to trying the DS both ways. ---
**Author:** ![tedsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/tedsmith/32/96626_2.png) [@tedsmith](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tedsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 10:39am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/preamps-that-work-with-the-ds-pwd/1362/22 "2014-07-24T10:39:16Z")
> **wijnand said** > > > **Ted Smith said** The DS has a lower noise hump than a typical SACD player. If your preamp has a bandwidth greater than about 100k then you amp is already getting the modest noise hump from the DS. > > Thanks Ted, but I'm not sure if I completely understand what you say. I have a sample of the specs of my preamp. > > With the PWD I once had a pop that tripped my poweramp to protect my speakers. I misunderstood what kind of noise you were worried about. I was referring to ultrasonic noise (which isn't a problem in your setup.) What are the odds that a big pop from the DS will hurt you amps? I don’t know. We take all precautions but since software is involved the chance of bugs is non-0. We’ve already has a case where the software crashes with certain bridge accesses (fixed now). Most amps won’t mind a rude input now and then, but you never know… ---
**Author:** ![rossop-2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@rossop-2](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/rossop-2)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:12pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/preamps-that-work-with-the-ds-pwd/1362/23 "2014-07-24T13:12:55Z")
> **magister said** > > > **alcarp said** Wow !!! A lot of folks using a preamp with the DSD. > > On the other hand, I continue to be surprised by how many people don’t use preamps. Putting aside issues of sound quality, I would find it difficult to go without my turntable, FM tuner, and SACD player. And I run a bi-amped setup, so it’s not convenient for me even to do a test without the preamp since I would need some adapters or different cables. And it sounds so darn good with the preamp that I confess I am not motivated to get the cables. My thoughts exactly. ---
**Author:** ![ozzymilton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a4c791/32.png) [@ozzymilton](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/ozzymilton)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/preamps-that-work-with-the-ds-pwd/1362/24 "2014-07-24T15:28:52Z")
I am running the Direct Stream to my BSG QOL and then to my Pass Labs Amp. Thus not using any Preamp. The QOL does have a balanced 10Vrms 50 ohm output. Great combo. ---
**Author:** ![shihan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@shihan](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/shihan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/preamps-that-work-with-the-ds-pwd/1362/25 "2014-07-26T02:27:13Z")
I have tried using the DS into mono amps and it sounded wonderful but there was just something missing can’t put my finger on it , to say just what it was so , I went back to using a pre amp Rouge Audio Athena and there is a slight loss of detail but it so much better to listen to that it’s worth that very slight loss but only if I try to listen for it would I notice. [Previous page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/preamps-that-work-with-the-ds-pwd/1362.md?page=1)