[JimB-MN]

James or others,
My current stereo is BDP-1 > Berkeley Audio DAC > 7B SST2s > Canton 3.2 ref. I use the Berkeley for gain.  I love it as it is but would like to add vinyl one of these days.  Any thoughts on what impact adding a BP26 would have. Better, worse or wouldn't even know it's there? 

You help is greatly appreciated. 
Jim

[jaxwired]

I've done a lot of reading on this subject and I can tell you that the majority of blogs and articles I've read say they prefer a good preamp in the chain rather than going direct from a source with gain.  One reason is that good preamps almost always have better volume mechanisms than the afterthought version put on source components.  Another reason given has to do with impedance matching. 

I"ve personally tried using my Benchmark DAC1 and the HDR version (which has a sophisticated volume control) and I preferred having a preamp.  I did get very good results with a placette passive preamp though. 

Ultimately, I would say that most likely adding the BP26 will either be a net gain or a wash, but would not degrade the sound.

[larevoj]

A good preamp can really make a huge difference and I too prefer having a linestage over direct from source.

[1oldguy]

I've done a lot of reading on this subject and I can tell you that the majority of blogs and articles I've read say they prefer a good preamp in the chain rather than going direct from a source with gain.  One reason is that good preamps almost always have better volume mechanisms than the afterthought version put on source components.  Another reason given has to do with impedance matching. 

I"ve personally tried using my Benchmark DAC1 and the HDR version (which has a sophisticated volume control) and I preferred having a preamp.  I did get very good results with a placette passive preamp though. 

Ultimately, I would say that most likely adding the BP26 will either be a net gain or a wash, but would not degrade the sound.

The Great thing about Bryston Amps/Bp26....and the Placette is that one could have both set up,though not use both preamps at the same time.
And depending on each persons individual preference could with the flick of the switch on the amps,use the preamp of choice just like that.
 

[JimB-MN]

So I answered my own question by borrowing a BP-26 for a few days.  I'm amazed and somewhat confused by how much better the system sounds.  Either way, I'll be ordering one today!

[Anonamemouse]

So I answered my own question by borrowing a BP-26 for a few days.  I'm amazed and somewhat confused by how much better the system sounds.  Either way, I'll be ordering one today!

It takes quite a lot of money to improve over the BP 26. Enjoy responsibly! 

[jaxwired]

So I answered my own question by borrowing a BP-26 for a few days.  I'm amazed and somewhat confused by how much better the system sounds.  Either way, I'll be ordering one today!

Same experience I had as well as most others.  Congrats.  The BP26 is a treat and is especiallly good with Bryston amps.

[Robert D]

So I answered my own question by borrowing a BP-26 for a few days.  I'm amazed and somewhat confused by how much better the system sounds.  Either way, I'll be ordering one today!

That was a easy question to answer 

Does it get any Better 

Robert

[vegasdave]

Same experience I had as well as most others.  Congrats.  The BP26 is a treat and is especiallly good with Bryston amps.

Absolutely!

[Sasha]

Many will probably disagree but the following was my experience that other ears present at the time fully concurred with.
Start with absolutely best PC based transport > BDA-1 > BP26, into either an active pair of speakers or passive driven by 7B SST.
Then remove BP26 and use well implemented digital volume control (.i.e. the one from Steinberg WaveLab), and be astonished by increased clarity and dynamics.
Having said that, if you must use preamp. I do not know of a better one at this time than BP26.
Had a chance to compare recently BP26 to AR, the second one from the top in their lineup, BP26 was more transparent and dynamic.

[larevoj]

IMHO the BP26 is truly an unsung hero of Bryston. 

Its absolutely neutral, transparent, and dynamic - if the recording sucks it will play it as is and to find a match at this level of performance will need to spend at least about 3 times more.