Have Passive Preamps Finally Come of Age?


Back in the late 90s (eons ago) I tried a variety of passive preamps (PPs). The most musical was an autoformer, but back then my system was not balanced. For the last decade I have been using active preamps, both tube and solid state, but finding a quality balanced preamp under $4K is damn near impossible. Enter the Parasound P5 (2.1), which in addition to having balanced I/Os, it has a separate bass management circuit (MSRP $1095), and I was hoping it would provide better control over the built in class D plates incorporated into my 2 SVS powered subs, whose volume controls are STUPIDLY sensitive: when barely cracked from zero they overwhelm. Alas, no bueno. 

Recently i watched a PS Audio YT video that was emphatic about NOT connecting powered subs with interconnects; instead he recommends speaker cables piggybacked off the main systems amp/s. I had a spare set of DIY flat copper cables, and was shocked how much better they sounded, but doing so did not change the  volume control problem and unfortunately this id not bypass the SVS amps whose class D chips are now ancient. Thinking there could be an impedance problem led me to revisit PPs.

I sold my P5 and was using the XLR outs from my Oppo 105 (upgraded power supply and IEC/wiring to the power supply) direct to my Emerald Physics 100.2SEs (class D). The noise floor dropped tremendously, allowing me a much better view into the music. My Core Power Technologies 1800 PLC had more than a little to do with this, but...  

Days of PP research later, I came across LDRs, which seem like the ultimate PP option, but XLR versions are ~ $2K and up, with the Tortuga coming in at $2700, seems like a true SOTA bargain, just not in my current budget. Scouring the' for sale' sites I came across a Hattor XLR (MSRP $995) which was in my price range. Hattor's www had links to 2 reviews both were extremely positive: one used it in combination with a class D amp. Bingo! I snapped it up.

It arrived late yesterday, although Hattor's www pictures look awesome, they do not compare to seeing and touching it. The metal carrying case was an indication of the designer's dedication. This is an etremely well made piece of kit, but how does it sound? Alas it came with no manual and Hattor's site does not have a PDF. How hard can it be to hook up? Well, after a couple scary minutes, I discovered that it would not light up until I connected the 105. 

Stone cold, the first thing that shocked me was a further reduction in noise floor and an incredibly wide and deep sound stage, but as can be expected, it was dry. Fingers crossed, in about a half hour I began to be rewarded with texture as well. Tis only got better as the night wore on

I hope somebody chimes in with their Tortuga experience, or any other high quality PP information.that goes under the reporting radar. 
tweak1
Hi tweak1,
I`ve been using the Tortuga LDR for awhile now and I`m enjoying it very much.

I added an inexpensive tube buffer (Yaqin CD-3) to help with impedance matching after pulling out my Rogue Tube amp and putting in an ATI SS amp in its place.

I did it for fun, as I absolutely loved the Rogue and it has been a stellar performer. 
I listen at a lowish volume level but  I just wanted to hear what a hefty amp would do for my Revels.
The Tortuga, Yaqin combo sounds very clean and clear and the front panel volume display numbers on the LDR have dropped quite a bit which seems to show everything is playing nicely together...very please !! 


tweak1 OP
  I have been keen on getting a Nord Two Stereo amp, but need to sell at least one SE first

This will be great with your  Hattor Passive Pre and much better.
As the Nord is double the input impedance of the  Emerald Phyics no need for a buffer then. I always say the best buffer is no buffer if possible.

Cheers George
Tortuga does offer a tubed buffer. I tried it on their "tour" and it sounded pretty good. My Goldpoint passive along with the Tortuga buffer did not quite equal my SMc Audio unity gain buffered preamp, but the SMc piece is much more expensive.

From Tortuga Audio
Our 30 day audition policy provides you a nominal 30 day window to audition any Tortuga Audio product. If you are not satisfied with your Tortuga Audio product just return it within 30 days of receipt of the shipment and we will refund the full purchase price. No questions asked.

I just found this out reading my Hattor is a review. Scratching my head as George said my Hattor is not compatible impedance wise

The guy responsible for the Khozmo passive also makes an upmarket version (ed Hattor) with super-duper resistors, balanced inputs and outputs, a balance control, a nice remote and a buffer circuit.