Eliminated my preamp with amazing results

Paul did not explicitly state that it had to be the ’BHK’; instead, he suggested a preamp of a certain quality, akin to the BHK with which he had experience. His remarks from that time align with our own findings and validations with our equipment.

...and yet, one can take the stance that the least amount of 'inference' (as opposed to 'interference') between source and ears is preferable....🙄

"This is likely one of the ways 'tail-eating universes' are formed...."

I'm so tired of irresistible forces v. immovable objects.....*mock sigh*

Different means to the same ends.....

Tired, Yes.

Swayed? 

No.

I don't have experience with uber expensive active preamps. But I have owned a few up to the 6K price range and a good quality passive pre has beaten all comers so far.

I have a different  twist on this subject  and I mean no harm by my comments. In the past I listened  to the McCormack  line lots as I was thinking  about upgrading  to it. Within there line I personally  believe  you have there best amp in the .5 I wasn't  a fan of there passive  preamp at all. In fact my time with there passive  preamplifier  basically  turned me off on passive  preamplifier s. I knew a fellow who had a qed passive  as well that I didn't  care for as well so I never  bothers paying any attention  to them after that. I found all the McCormack  line to have a level of underlayment  of scratchness to the sound. The extreme  example  would be the radio in a 70s Chevy.  My first thought was as soon as you took there preamplifier out of the chain your system  likely  became way clearer. Not being a passive preamplifier  fan I would think you are very right that there will be more drive and not as boring  sounding. I have read many times on this thread to keep you preamplifier  around for awhile.  My thoughts are quite different  on that personally  I think if you want to compare  your system  with a preamplifier in or out of your system  you need to actually  try your system  with a preamplifier  borrow one from a friend  or audition  one from your hifi dealer.  I know that comes across  as a harsh statement but years ago I wish someone  would have told me my highly reviews speakers were actually  cow dung. They were the last of the system  upgrades I did. And my friends said to me afterwards congratulations  you finally bought a speaker. In fact after hours and hours and what I though at the time was lots of money  I had something  worth turning  on. So it is from that perspective  that I made that comment.  Now another observation  on volume  controls  in a preamplifier  I by far prefer a resistor  ladder over a pot. That being  said there are some very good pots in some preamplifier s. And also  there are other reasons for no preamplifier as well  in my bedroom  system  physical space comes to mind I wanted a system  with mono blocks right at the speaker and one source  only and a volume  control at the source.  I did this for awhile with an old McIntosh  tuner. Then I bought a refurbished  wadia  cd player wadia  back in the day build one of the finest digital  volume  controls in there cd players made and took the tuner out. After awhile I changed the amps  out for a set that had volume  controls on the amps. A set of line magnetic  124a  that are based on an old western electric  design  the wadia was narrow  and deep so I had to turn it sideways  on my dresser  so I bought another  old school top end cd player from krell and run that on the bedroom system.  Lol very over the top either way but I enjoy it and after the wreck and becoming  handicapped  there is very little  enjoyment  left in my life. Lol I went very over the top on systems  around the house I have to  hire people to move pieces for me. Respectfully if you want to compare  with and without a preamplifier  I think you should try it with a better preamplifier.  I have nothing but total belief  that your system  sounds better without the preamplifier  you have. Personally  I am happy  for you that you are finding  more enjoyment  out of your system  this way. 

Regards