Passive Pre - No Regrets?

"Yes I agree, I suppose it is how one looks at it. I'm not designer like yourself,but don't you use something inside your equipment to filter noise or keep it to a minimum? Capacitors or something? If you did then your amplifiers or preamps would also do the job of lowering the noise floor..correct? This wouldn't be any different from a TVC having the same ability would it?"

In the audio path, we do everything we can to insure bandwidth. OTOH, we do all we can to prevent noise from the AC line from leaking in. The two are definately *not* the same! The idea that a volume control would filter noise of some sort is to say that it is really a tone control as well. In the world of high end audio, the idea is to get away from tone controls so as to get to the truth of the matter.

"In the world of high end audio, the idea is to get away from tone controls so as to get to the truth of the matter."

OK let's look at from another perspective. Since it's the goal of high end to get away from tone controls.. This will leave a lot of members here in the dust. Essentially every component is a tone control. All the way done to the tubes used in a selected piece of gear. How will we ever get away from tone controls? When every piece of gear is basically a tone control? No matter how High End you go...there will always be those darn tone controls.

Hi Gmood1, I don't agree with your statement for several reasons, not the least of which is that equipment exists that seems to lack 'tone control' qualities and in fact is able to fool jundiced audiophiles. This is a forum for high-end, not mid-fi so we won't be leaving too many 'in the dust'. Finally, we're getting off-topic, but if you would like to discuss this further perhaps we could start a new thread?

All the Best!

Mr.Sphere true this is a audio site, hopefully for all not just what's considered High end because it cost a certain price. Maybe we're thinking the same thing just from different perspectives.

I like absolute transparency not at the expense of being musical. I want to hear every change in the system. When I change tubes in equipment,cables,dacs,etc.. I want to hear it. I have achieved this without breaking the bank.

Every system has a flavor to it from the mixing of the components. Changing one piece will change this flavor.
I personally find it far fetched that any componenet doesn't have a flavor. If there wasn't a flavor for each component, we would all listen too and like the same equipment. I haven't heard a capacitor that sounded the same as another. I haven't played with them all..but quite a few. The same with tubes..come on..I know you have a favorite type tube for your equipment... most designers do. Give up the goods!LOL

Just look at the post here on the GON and what people ask for. It's not the sound of water I can guarantee that.

Maybe we should start another discussion. I like keeping you busy. ;-)

All the Best