Best Sounding Passive Preamp

Short ICs with low capacitance (Cardas GR). By the way, Clio9 has started an LSA Forum at his new website for electra-fidelity.com - A good gatheirng place for LSA fanatics to share ideas. I can very easily see someone using the BENT for life and being very, very happy, especially getting off the merry-go-round:). In fact, I might buy one again, I do miss remote and balance control - it certainly would be at the very top of my list for passives to consider, though I'm not sure if John is still selling them; that is not clear to me as it seem he wanted to sell to OEMs.

The DIYHiFi Django AVC (Silk autoformers) I'm using is the best passive I've tried - including 3 transformer based units and a couple of "pots in a box" (built my 1st in '85). Does VERY little to the signal and is very flexible in its utility. It's a keeper!

Doak, have you tried anything with the Slagle autoformer? I noticed I preferred the Slagle AVC (Bent)to the S&B MKII (K&K TVC). Funny that John at BENT switched from S&B to Slagle due to S&Bs actions, but I think it was also made for a better (relative term as both were excellent)sounding piece.

Folks, just curious, are you trying to help the OP who posted 10 years ago or you just need a reason to talk?

Just a continuing dialogue, OP bought a Ref5.