LTA MicroZOTL Preamplifier

What is a preamplifier and why is it so important?

A Preamplifier is one of the most important components in a system that does the crucial job of controlling what input source (Vinyl, CD, Digital, etc) you are listening to and how to carefully boost the volume without distortion or noise into the signal path prior to the power amplification to drive your speakers.

Preamps are in all audio systems in some form, either as component within an Integrated Amp, or as a separate component designed to do a better job just like a dedicated video card or sound card can do in a computer compared to machines with integrated video and sound cards.

The Preamplifier is often a part of an "Integrated Amp", which has both the preamp and power amp in it. These typical devices often include other components as well to deliver economy to make an entire system affordable. The tradeoff is often quality. To reduce the cost and fit everything into one box integrated amps have to make compromises. They also have greater complexity and with complexity comes greater engineering challenges.

This is why there are dedicated separate components like preamplifiers  and power amps. By keeping the device simpler and more singular, the quality and functionality can be increased thoughtfully to make a product that does a much better job.

Managing the audio signal at the "Line Level" or at a low signal level, a system can introduce more sophisticated controls like switching, and gain without the challenges of managing this at high power levels that would require bigger components which would be more costly and is just much harder to do. 

So the bottom line is that a great preamplifier curates and manages your low level audio signal without introducing distortion and noise that would make the experience worse at high levels. A bad preamplifier will introduce this noise which will be amplified along with the signals you want to hear (Garbage in, Garbage out, but louder).