Integrated with passive preamp section. Good or bad idea, or both ?

The Ayre AX-7e integrated is a solid-state power amp mated with passive gain control and source selection. Love mine.

I thought the Gryphon Diablo 300 had a passive preamp section?
If I'm wrong, somebody please correct my statment.

"Integrated with passive preamp section: name one??Any... one."

I'll give you more than one; All Pass Labs integrateds.

If a passive control is built into a power amplifier or integrated amplifier, that's the best place it can be! By doing so, the designer is able to bypass most of the problems that make external passive controls problematic.


An early example of this is the Dynaco SCA-35 amplifier, which to this day is a great starter amplifier (of course, with refurbishment and updates). Essentially the only active circuits in it are the phono preamp and power amp sections- the volume, balance and tone controls were all passive and the power amp itself made up for their insertion losses.

IMHO, an integrated is the perfect spot for a passive pre.  You know the designer designed the amp section to work well with a passive pre, and you've decreased the parts count (and another interconnect) and therefore likely the overall expense to a great degree.  A passive pre with a separate amp gets a lot more sketchy in finding a good combination.  Maybe Ralph can chime in again and share what characteristics you need in an amp to be a good candidate for a passive pre.  My only thought is if the amp manufacturer also makes passive preamps, you're probably in good shape.  I'm thinking McCormack as an example.  But an integrated makes a lot of sense if it gives you the power you need and the sound you like.