Goldpoint Passive Preamps

Entrope,

I have heard lots of good things about the Reference Line passive preamps. I missed a 1A here on Audiogon recently. I understand Scott Nixon now owns Reference Line and I sent him an email to inquire about them, but got no response. The webiste doesn't provide any information on the products either. Oh well...

Jeff,

That is an option I will look into, but only after I rule out a passive altogether.

Clio did you ever consider sending the amp back to Paul to have the Gain lowered

That could be an option

Btw do you have a picture of your D 225
I want one for myself !

Bluemike,

The thing weighs nearly 70 lbs. and there are very good reasons as to why it is high gain, so it would be easier just to fiddle with the preamp. My listening room is very small and I feel that in a larger space the 11db of gain on my Joule Electra and the D-225 will work nicely together. Just not in an 11 x 13 room that has a brick fireplace and plaster walls. To be honest, a bit more attention to room treatments could help too, but I still want to evaluate passive preamps first before I go there. With furniture, my stand, and the equipment there is just not that much space (bear in mind it is a 400 sq. ft. studio). I don't have a digital camera, but if you email Brian Weitzel he took a few pictures of it. It is not pretty by any means but is built like a tank.

Email me if you like and I will give you Brian's contact information so you can call him directly. My D-225 was his amp, the prototype, that was brought up to production spec prior to my taking delivery. He is also the one responsible for the solid state line, although the design is still mainly done by Paul Weitzel and many of the components, like the chokes and transformers, are custom designed to his specs.

Clio9-

I have spoken with Scott Nixon on the phone about the Reference Line which he does own now. He checked the 1A out for the seller and performed some minor repairs then drop shipped it to me.

I was leary going to a passive but Ralph Karsten at Atma-sphere was confident that the synergy with his amps and the Merdian front end would work with a passive.

My system has never sounded better. I am expereincing some depth, realism of instruments, soundstaging like never before with an active. I am using Tekline silver cables from the CDP and Magnan MKIII to the amps.

All I can say is it worked for me (and its remote control volume)

Ralph