Serious Passive Preamp question

For a passive, I don't think that would be worth anywhere near $2200.  It's just a couple of stepped attenuators using larger "through hole" resistors.  It doesn't even have anything special, such as signal transformers like other exotic passive preamps.  Definitely not worth a trade for a LS7 linestage - you're, essentially, getting screwed on this trade if you do it.
If you really want to see what a passive does, try a Gold Point SA4 ($532), or an SA2X-I if you want balanced XLR passive ($616).   If you really want to go on the cheap, Shiit SYS for $49.

rocky1313

Even though passives are my game, I don’t believe ANY active preamp can better a "properly used" passive for transparency, dynamics, uncoloured sound and extension in both the highs and lows.

Saying that though your AR LS7 is "worth" far more to sell than any passive is (except for one) worth, regardless of which one.

The one I’m talking about is the $20k D’artZeel NHB-18NS as it also uses the same LED/LDR passive system as the one I make does.

Cheers George

I've seen active preamps beat a passive every time. Less coloration, better dynamic impact, more extension. Less sensitivity to interconnect cables.

A lot depends on the active line stage though. Some of them outright suck, and then passive sounds better so when that happens its a bad sign.

+1 atmosphere. 

+2 Atmasphere. My experience as well.