What is the quietest preamp you've used?

Among tubed preamps, I doubt that there is anything much quieter than the First Sound. The ear-to-the-speaker test yields absolutely dead quiet at normal listening levels. There may be solid state units which test quieter, but I doubt that the difference could be sonically significant. Great dynamics and low-level detail out of the First Sound due to its quietness.

The quietest is ALWAYS going to be a passive device. You just can't beat that for transparency. However it has other shortcomings that are generally bettered by active stages.

Enjoy,
Bob

von gaylord active pre-amp on their integrated

Ayre K1-xe, Excellent solid state pre!

cat ultimate