Passive Pre - No Regrets?

Here's another one for you. Intact Audio

A transformer winder from hell. With discussion on how to tune the transformers to your system. Not for the faint of heart but results can be stupendous if you are willing to invest the time and effort to optimize it.

"Great story Moebis!! He's still just as stubborn about tube amplifiers being the only amplifiers to use!LOL"

You mean, it's not true? Actually, I'm a low-power SET guy, but not so much so that I don't appreciate other approaches.

"I had to laugh at Mr.Sphere's comments about passives not being able to drive the cables... that's a pretty broad statement."

I don't have a thimble's worth of his experience or knowledge, and he always seems to make very measured and reasoned statements. So, I'm sure there are very good reasons for what he says.

But, it's hard to tell if his statements are directed at all passive controls or just resistor based. He did not address the situation where a source has low output impedence and high voltage output feeding a high input impedence amplifier with low voltage sensitivity via a TVC.

Going one step further would be an all balanced system via the balanced input and outputs of a TVC. Or, single-ended source being converted to true balanced signal via the TVC transformers to the balanced inputs of an amp.

I have a pair of Jensen JT-11P4-1 (1:1.414) for "Balanced Bridging" Input transformers that I am going to add to the end of long balanced cables for converting back to SE at my amps inputs.

Not as good as a truly all-balanced system, but will allow me to use ~30-40 ft. cables to cross my room to my amps right next to each speaker.

I have had a Placette for over a year now. I will never go active again. I have hi output low impedence sources and sensative hi input impedence amps. This is perfect for a passive linestage. Not everyone has components as well suited for sure. If I connected my source to my amp directly the volume was way too loud. This means my amplified linestage was really an attenuator! Going passive was a real shocking improvement for me. I will also say it is hard to find a phono stage suited for this. Low impedence out is hard to find especially with tubes.I have no opinion on my resistor ladder style unit vs a transformer based unit other than less passive friendly components than mine could benefit from transformered units and their potential 6db gain. They are more likely to color sound than a resistor ladder which could or may not be beneficial. Your results may vary in other words. Good luck! I like the Placettes remote control as well and the fact that a passive doesn't need a power cord(upgrade)since only the control functions use AC power not the signal path.

ET

Good point about phono preamps, Electoid. My solid state Gram Slee Era Gold mkV phono preamp(+ELP "transformerless" stepup) has an output of 240mV - 1.08V max. That's works for my Art Audio PX-25's 0.7V input, but not really enough for my Welborne DRD 300B monoblock's 1.5V needs. I have to use the +6dB setting on my TVC sometimes, which has it's own drawbacks.

"I don't have a thimble's worth of his experience or knowledge, and he always seems to make very measured and reasoned statements. So, I'm sure there are very good reasons for what he says."

Yes I agree he is a talented guy, but so are the fellows that design the passive units. His reasons are stated above..He designs and builds active preamps.

Personally have no preference to amplifier design. As long as it suits my taste.. any design will do.

Thanks for the link Herman..never seen this site before.

Good listening