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What amp do you use with your passive pre?

I decided to get a LDR Passive Pre. No, not Tortuga. This one is from a super nice guy name Chris in New Zealand. I currently have a Class D amp (one of those better boards). Although I like it, I always miss the Class A/tube sound. So, looking for amp that is minimum 50wpc. I currently have 91db speakers but will change them soon to Harbeth (most likely).

Long story short; what amp are you using with your passive pre?
celo
mechans
3,048 posts
 

What's your budget?

If you have $3+ K to spend I highly recommend  Opera-Consonance Cyber 800 tube mono blocs deliver about 80watts per channel. That is the discount new price.  Not too many used around.

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Before any suggestion can be made, 3 things to look for in an amp and source that will be a perfect match for a 10kohm passive, be it LDR, Potentiometer, Switch Resistor, and some TVC’s.
Then there will be no compromises, and you'll get the most transparent/dynamic/extended sound from your system. 

1: You need to get an amp who’s input sensitivity voltage is the same or lower than the sources output voltage.
EG:
Amp 1.5v (input sensitivity) in for full output
Source 1.5v or higher output.

2: An amp that has higher than 33kohm input impedance, which most are.

3: Sources output impedance should be lower than 1kohm (1000ohm) which most are.

Cheers George
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,318 posts
 
Interesting to read Mechans suggestion.  I'm using a Schiit Freya (can be operated in pure passive, JFET buffered or 6SN7 tube mode) with a Taranis Class D.  Have also used it with the Cyber 800SE mono blocks that Mechans mentioned.  With either amp, I'm greatly enjoying this pre-amp's JFET buffered mode, though the sound in pure-passive runs a close second.  

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