Is my preamp useless?

^^ This post is incorrect, as the problem is not the control but the interconnect it drives, and of course the drive actually comes from the source- I explained this in my prior post.

Why is it then, when you put different active preamps in a system, the sound changes so much? Imaging changes, dynamics, contrast, etc... And a related question. I hear all the time comments to the effect of, a preamp can't add anything. It can only take away. If that's the case, how do account for something like image size getting much larger when switching from a passive or source with a volume control, to an active line stage? There are some big differences, not subtle ones. It makes perfect sense that a preamp can't add anything to a recording, but listening clearly proves otherwise.

Thanks for your thoughtful question! The first comment I have is 'compared to what?'. Is it that the line section is reproducing the image incorrectly or is it the passive? This really is very system dependent! Some line sections introduce colorations without any doubt, so I am usually careful to qualify my statements about what a line section should do with a phrase like 'properly designed' or similar.

IMO/IME it is a statement on how dreadful some line stages are that a passive control can sound better; if the line stage is designed and built correctly that simply can't happen. But in real life it does so that says to me that there are a lot of marginal line stages in use otherwise this debate would not occur over and over.

Atmasphere,
With all due respect - have you heard all possible permutations/combinations of amp+preamps that exist in the world? If not, then it is simply YOUR view that actives are always better than passives. Folks have been very happy about TVC preamps, which are considered to be passives. I love my TVC. Does it mean, it will work in all systems? Heck no! Try my preamp with a power amp that has a sensitivity of > 1.5V and it will sound pathetic at best. If you have heard a passive that was introduced in a system that needed the gain, I am sure it would sound bad. At the same time, in my system I cannot introduce any source that gives out less than 2V.
So, it is all system dependent. A properly put together system can shine as much or better than an active line stage, if it used a passive preamp. It has been asked before - why would Nelson Pass make active line stage, if he likes passives? The simple reason could be - because people have behemoth loudspeakers, whose sensitivity is so low that they need tons of GAIN in their system. The amps that drive these loudspeakers are low sensitive amps, mostly >1.5V for full power.

Milpai, I offer to bring my active to your home and guarantee you will like it better. If not, I will eat one part inside my active :)

Are you close to MInnesota? I have no doubt you will say " I like your active better". No doubt.

Let's do the active throw-down!

Grannyring,
I like your confidence, the problem is it is near impossible to account for another person's taste or preferences, very hard to do despite how good your active preamp may be.

Grannyring,
Thank You for the offer. But I am a bit away from you - near Cleveland. I would be eager to know your system, in the first place. At least that will tell me why you felt your active would sound better in my system.

The next paragraph is for EVERYONE in general and not just you Grannyring.

I feel folks who come here for sincere audio discussions should post their system so that the other party can understand why the poster is so exited about his/her system. I think we all have gone through a certain phase of changes/upgrades, to arrive at what we like. So why not post your equipment here for others to see and then decide why the poster is exited about what he/she is recommending.