2. amps-preamps
  3. 1159194844

Passive Pre - No Regrets?

I'm interested in hearing from folks who have moved from a high quality active preamp (I'm currently using a CAT SL1 Ulitmate)to a passive preamp and have had no regrets. I'm particularly interested in hearing from those that have switched to a Placette or Sonic Euphoria (the two I'm considering). I'm using a CAT JL2 Amp feeding Merling VSM-MX.
pubul57
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
I'm still waiting for my Placette, which should be here this week. Just for the record, my IC from the Placette to the amps will by 1M Cardas GR or 2M. Guy, Mr. Placette, thought I would have no problems with the cables and my equipment. He also suggested that placing the Merlin BAM between the Placette and the Amp might be a good approach. So, if the Placette can't beat the CAT, I think I can assume it would not be do to capacitance issues in the ICs. I see Atmasphere's point about running 30-100 ft cables, which would suggest the need for an active and perhaps balanced cables, but as GMood1 suggests, is this really relevant to me, with my setup. Well, I guess the proof will be in the listening. I'll send my observations when I have a few days of listening. Thank you.
jsadurni
210 posts
 
I have my passive attenuators are inside my mono amps, the attenuator is a couple of inches away from the input tube. I have good dynamics but my old SS preamp was much more dynamic! I guess thats what you loose with passives against active.
I used to have an outboard attenuator box and did not notice a lot of difference when I put the attenuators inside the amps. I did notice a big change when I used all resistors inside, I guess the big change was due mainly to resistors against the alps pot, more than the lenght of the cables...

Pubul57 please let us know how you do with the Placette passive and the changes you notice against the CAT, this is very important to me since I still have the bug for an active preamp.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Jsadurni,

1. What is the output voltage and impedence of your sources? 2. What is the input sensitivity and impedence of your amps?
3. What type of interconnects are you using?
jsadurni
210 posts
 
Darkmoebius:

Source EAD 7000 III DAC
Output voltage 2V
output impedance 50 ohms

Amps Leak TL12.1
Input sensitivity
148mV r.m.s. input gave 12 watts output at 1,000 c/s.
Input impedance 1 meg ohm

Perfect for a passive?

Speakers are 94 db sensitivity
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Jsadurni, you should be fine with a passive..just make sure the next one is a TVC not the PLC with autoformers. I watch movies with my TVC..no shortage in dynamics.Also from what I've read the PLC with autoformers doesn't electrically isolate input from output like a TVC. This means you'll have less noise filtered with the PLC. Give it another go..before you throw in the towel.

Good luck
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