How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?

There are a few sources that require active preamp, without while your system sounds lifeless. I had Logitech Bluetooth receiver which was one such example. Similarly connecting the headphones out from a mp3 player to a passive also sounds lifeless. I use a TVC. 

Just an FYI.... Any F5 can be made to yeild 25 dB of gain very easily.

Who cares. It’s not about you and your F5.
The heading of the thread is: 
" How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?
I think my system sounds better when I remove it from the signal path. "

"you are such a kosst", new saying here for agitators take note everyone.

@georgehifi "Here is a person you should kneel to as he is one who makes active preamps for a reason which I’ve outlined, yet he is man enough to tell what it is about passives that’s the real deal."

Kudos to Nelson for being man enough.

Speaking of being man enough... As Ralph said you go off like a $5 pistol. I’ll add, routinely. As an example, @georgehifi , you went off half-cocked, and initiated a thread on Stereophile no longer performing measurements even though it was completely incorrect. For the longest time, the myriad (Sam Tellig, Art Dudley, Kal Rubinson, Lisa Astor, and on and on) columns never included measurements as they were subjective writings and meant to entertain and sell magazines. Sometimes, the follow-ups to the more formal reviews also do not include a new set of measurements. If you had an iota of the stones you stand up on your soapbox and claim you have, and within all the time and energy you have chasing down all the things you do, you would have issued a mea culpa. At least, THAT’S what a man does...

Regarding active versus passive preamplifiers, the world is big enough for both of them. I run direct from my digital sources, and have / had and use both active AND passive preamplifiers. All three options have their place, can provide a rewarding experience to the owner, and none is incorrect. I have respect for both you (honestly, you deserve plaudits and more for the Lightspeed) and Ralph in terms of the preamplifier solutions you put forth. But I doubt I’m the only one who feels your showing up in the innumerable threads you have to crap all over the idea of folks wanting / enjoying / needing an active preamplifier to the point of their being wrong / stupid / duped / fraudulent got old a long time ago.

Lastly, I find it beyond unfair to the point of immoral to paint folks like Ralph as someone putting profit before his dedication, belief in the knowledge / experience he’s developed over the past 45 - 50 years, craftsmanship, and overall audio landscape