2. amps-preamps
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Who is using passive preamps and why?

Seldom has there been any discussions on passive preamps in the forums and although my experience with them has been limited I have found them so far to be very enjoyable and refreshingly different. They seem to fall into their own category, somewhere between solid state and tube. Finding a preamp that is satisfing has been difficult. Some active solid state preamps can be very good but they seem to inject grain to some degree in the upper registers and some tube preamps are not too far behind. So far I think they should at least be matched up with an amp that has sufficient gain which is often overlooked. Which passives are you using and with what amp? Why do you like them?
phd
herman
2,256 posts
 
Pubul57, the engineers among us can give sound scientific reasons why resistors should outperform transformers just as they can explain why transistors should outperform tubes. However, there is a large contingency out here who swear by these supposed inferior devices. My personal experience with a PLacette confirms that a resistor based device can be excellent as well as the TVCs. One problem with the Placette's is their 9K impedance which poses a problem for many systems.

If interested in a TVC check out Jeffrey Jackson's work.

http://www.jeffreywjackson.com/Passive_Aggressive.htm

.
clio09
3,355 posts
 
Jeffrey uses the Slagle autoformers in his designs. Another person who on his site specifically states what we have probably stated an number of times here and in other passive threads:

http://www.jeffreywjackson.com/preamplifiers.htm
ig316b
104 posts
 
Phd, Unfortunately that would be a least a three day drive for me, but I do have a buddy that lives in the Seattle area. Next time I'm out that direction I'll have to give you a shout.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Anthony, I know what you mean about the RM10MKII, why I had to come back to it. It maybe be in some ways, a greater piece of design than my RM9SEs (5x$$$). Becuase I do think Roger is a genius at this stuff, and he insists that I am crazy to use anything but a passive preamp, I may go there yet again. Herman, thanks for the link.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
I am using the Sonic Euphoria PLC simply because it has beaten every 5K and under active preamp I have tried:

Lamm
deHavilland
CJ
Art Audio
Cary
Audible Illusions

It is more natural and less electronic sounding than any active I have heard.

Shakey
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