2. amps-preamps
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I used to think passive preamps were superior to active preamps given right the setup, but

my recent evaluation of a modded old SS preamp has me a little befuddled.  I've evaluated $10K+ active preamps in the past and was never impressed especially given their cost.  In general, I've found passives to do better job. I know there's ongoing debate on this.  But here's a very illuminating video on the subject by Bascom King, one of the legends of high end audio.

https://youtu.be/HHl8F9amyY4
dracule1
hapinoregon
4 posts
 
With regard to Nelson Pass' commens

I have a 1996 version of his Pass Labs Aleph P preamp that has separate controls for gain and volume. His advice was to set the gain as low as you can and the volume as high as you can for your basic listening and use the remote to adjust the volume.

I've gotten the up-grade itch several times, but have yet to find anything I like better. Amps and speakers have changed but the Alpeph P has been a constant.
doak
199 posts
 
To be totally successful in using a passive-pre the rest of the system must be built/chosen with the accomodation in mind. This doesn't really require compromises IMO since the things that work best also make for a better system.  In such a case gain can only be detrimental to the sound since any active device with gain will also surely add colorations to the sound.
I've been using the passive approach most of the last 30 years.  For the last 15 it's been TVC/AVC based devices. I've occasionally tried promising low gain active designs up to $5K but have always come back to the TVC's purity and quietness. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

All the above 5 post have valid statements, the best preamp is no preamp, this is closest to a straight piece of wire sound.

Source direct or through a simple direct coupled passive is the most transparent/dynamic way of hearing the source. 

You may not like the sound this way because your hearing the source for what it is, does this mean you add an active preamp to colour that sound hopefully in the right areas or get a source that doesn't need to be coloured?

Cheers George     

genez
220 posts
 
The best preamp is no preamp?...  Possibly... but only if the recording was perfect and recorded in an ideal space with phenomenal room acoustics.   Otherwise?  I still prefer Technicolor movies over the plain variety. I know..  Not real... But,  so much more pleasing and stimulating to your soul.  After all, that is why we seek to listen to music! Recording engineers know this.  That is why they will often times add effects and enhancements to what was recorded. 

I learned my big lesson when I began op-amp swapping with my high quality pre-amp/phone amp.  No piece of equipment is neutral.  Even the passive ones. For there are various kinds of passive preamps that produce different sound!  So? Create your own "neutrality" of sound.  One that produces a believable sound that YOU THOROUGHLY ENJOY.   Not one we are to be told is enjoyable but does not quite move you. It always has to be quality - low noise - design. That never varies.
 C'est la vie.
dracule1 OP
1,085 posts
 
Genes,

"Create your own "neutrality" of sound. One that produces a believable sound that YOU THOROUGHLY ENJOY. Not one we are to be told is enjoyable but does not quite move you. It always has to be quality - low noise - design. That never varies.
C'est la vie."

Sage advice. You're a true philosopher. But there are many in high end who will try to convince you what the "truth" should be and what should be "enjoyable". And they will charge an arm and a leg for it.
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