"Budget" preamp choices.

I highly recommend the Ray Samuels Emmeline CA-2 solid state preamp. If you can live with just 2 inputs this preamp competes with units in the 5K range. A brand new CA-2 is only $695. There is an excellent review on this unit from Dick Olsher that provides plenty of information. Very transparent and tonally accurate. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0903/samuelsemmelineca2.htm

"passives lack dynamics" is one of the biggest misconceptions in all of audio. That is a load of bull perpetuated by those who either have only heard them in systems that weren't compatible with them, or just parrot what other misinformed individuals have said.

These individuals insert one in a system that isn't a good match, get poor results, and declare that all passives are inherently flawed.

In the right system they are wonderful. In the wrong system, like any other component, they are not.

I recently replaced my CAT SL2 Ultimate ($8,000) (a "dynamics" champ)with the Placette RVC ($1,000). I did not make the move for financial reasons. The Placette does not lack dynamics when paired with my CAT JL2 Amp (100Kohm input impedance and .85mvs sensitivity). IMHO, in the right set up the Placette can compete with just about any preamp out there. If you want to know if the Placette will work with your Pass Aleph 3, call the owner of Placette - Guy Hummel(?) - he will tell you the truth. Better yet, try the 30-day trial and make up your own mind if it works with your amp.

Eastern Electric Minimax is always a good choice. They go for around $550-700 used, depending on the vintage. I have been running mine for about 2 years with great results (NOS tubes are a big upgrade). Much better than the C-J PV10a it replaced. If I was going passive, I would get a CDP with volume control and skip the preamp.

Chazzbo, which passive have you heard that lack in dynamics? That information would probably be a useful qualifier to your statement. As pointed out - The Placette absolutely positively does not lack in dynamics, nor does the Placette fall short in any other way in my experience. I've also heard the Sonic Euphoria and the Bent and neither of those choices in passives lack in dynamics either. I prefer the Placette in my system, regardless of price (have not tried the Bent there though - heard it in someone else's rig). Good suggestion to give Guy a call if you want further information and to check on synergy. He has no interest in selling you a product that won't work with your system. If it does work, and I do think it will, you will be in for a big treat for some small change.

Marco