High Quality Passive Preamp Recommendtion


Please recommend some high qulity passive preamps or buffered preamps you have come across, especially those can be found in secondhand market.
Thanks
zdeng
If you have any DIY skills I'd recommend making your own, even if you have to pay someone to make you a wood chassis. I'd get a pair of Shallco 31-position mono switches with circuit boards and resistors, from The Parts Connection, and a good selector switch from them, toggle if you need only two sources, rotary for three or more, good RCA or XLR connectors, and use good THIN internal signal wire. You'll end up with dual mono stepped attenuators equal to anything on the market at any price. If it were me, I'd ask TPC for a different selection of resistors and have 1 db steps of attenuation--the stock resistors give you roughly 2 db steps and you have MUCH more range of attenuation than you'll need. I'd be glad to advise further if this appeals to you. Look me up through Audiogon "Member Lookup" and email.

I've made three or four of these, and would never buy a commercial product. Most have at least one technical flaw and they all cost a LOT more than one needs to spend.
If you are looking for a really transparent sounding passive pre look at the model by Placette Audio. It has three line level inputs and two outputs, 127 stepped remote control attenuator and the company provides great customer service. These are rather hard to find used but if you can find one it is highly recommended.
Check out the FT Audio LW-1 ($500 new) it is highly regarded and has excellent reviews in the audio magazines. Supposedly they have conquered all the downsides of passive pre's and the unit has terrific dynamics, imaging, transparency, and surprisingly BASS! Many of the owners that I've traded emails with say they get great slam and low frequency extension. Also, it has 5 inputs and tape monitor.

Anyway, it comes with a 30-day return policy, so there's no risk. The US distributor, Paul Lam is a great guy to talk to and is incredibly honest. He will honestly tell you whether the LW-1 will work in your system or not.

P.L.C.Lam Consulting Inc.
2 Asgar Walk
Tel: 306-586-8596
Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 6W4
Fax: 306-585-3837
paullam@sk.sympatico.ca
2nd phone number, 306-949-8048.

website:
http://www.ftaudio.com/

Reviews:
http://www.uhfmag.com/Issue54/Passive54.html
http://www.goodsound.com/original/other.html - (2/3rds down the page)
http://www.audio-ideas.com/reviews/preamps/ft-audio.html

Also, search the archives on AudioAsylum.com's General Forum, there has been lots of discussion about the unit, and a few owner revies. AudioReview.com has quite few owner reviews. And Ebay consumer reviews.