Hello Al,
Larry, Bill and myself all fully appreciate the point Mapman was making and it was a very sound one at that. Idealy you'd think it's possible to get the very best sound in an audio system without resorting to an active peeamp with its"added" complexity and required IC and anotherP. Cord in the mix. Eliminating these in favor of less is appealing to say the least. I know for a fact that Bill has tried with the most earnest of intentions and effort to go direct source and also passive (Lightspeed). Bill at one point sold his beloved TRL DUDE as to demonstrate his sincerity in following the "simpler" mantra.
Given Larry's very extensive experience and background I'll assume that he has heard or tried numerous attempts to remove the active preamplifier from the signal chain. I've been exposed to many passive/direct source system approaches.I can honestly say that some of these did indeed sound good and in some cases very good. In my listening evaluation none could match the realism and completeness of what a high quality active is able to achieve. Theory would predict that less circuitry or parts in a signal path should yield better sound. I strongly believe this is true, until a critical point is reached and them simpler becomes a compromise and a obstacle to the best sound that's possible.
I'll say a minimalist active will more often than not, out preform a more complex active (multiple gain stages, parts and circuitry). Here is where simplicity shows its superiority.
Charles,
Larry, Bill and myself all fully appreciate the point Mapman was making and it was a very sound one at that. Idealy you'd think it's possible to get the very best sound in an audio system without resorting to an active peeamp with its"added" complexity and required IC and anotherP. Cord in the mix. Eliminating these in favor of less is appealing to say the least. I know for a fact that Bill has tried with the most earnest of intentions and effort to go direct source and also passive (Lightspeed). Bill at one point sold his beloved TRL DUDE as to demonstrate his sincerity in following the "simpler" mantra.
Given Larry's very extensive experience and background I'll assume that he has heard or tried numerous attempts to remove the active preamplifier from the signal chain. I've been exposed to many passive/direct source system approaches.I can honestly say that some of these did indeed sound good and in some cases very good. In my listening evaluation none could match the realism and completeness of what a high quality active is able to achieve. Theory would predict that less circuitry or parts in a signal path should yield better sound. I strongly believe this is true, until a critical point is reached and them simpler becomes a compromise and a obstacle to the best sound that's possible.
I'll say a minimalist active will more often than not, out preform a more complex active (multiple gain stages, parts and circuitry). Here is where simplicity shows its superiority.
Charles,
