Best Sounding Passive Preamp

I have owned a few passives: Bent AVC, K&K with S&B102, Placette RVC, and Goldpoint. All were bettered by the Lightspeed Attenuator - but all were first-rate and the tranformer and autoformer units are much easier to match with amps and cables. I also hear the First Watt B1 at RMAF and the system sounded quite good, but not my system or room so that is just a tentative observation; but how many things by Nelson Pass don't sound good?

For me it is the McCormack TLC-1 stock or Deluxe. To me they look and sound great. I especially like the feel of the controls of either preamp.

At one time, the Reference Line passives were thought to be among the very best, any experience with their gear versus the TVCs and AVCs that have come to market since then?

Will second Jedinite24. The McCormack TLC-1 is hard to beat, if you can find one.

An Axiom from Luminous audio... You can't go wrong at that price it's a no brainer. Great to have as back-up.

Tony