what's 'Active preamp' vs 'Passive preamp'?

I thought all preamps are passive in nature, and I heard the term 'active peamp?

what does it mean? how they are different?

eandylee06-21-2007 6:37pm

ozzy Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,526 posts 06-23-2007 at 03:14pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Eandylee, I am now using my APL CD Player direct to my Pass Amp and it is better than when I used a Melos Preamp. Sound is purer. Plus, as was mentioned, I eliminated one power cord, interconnect, rack space .
s23chang Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 620 posts 06-24-2007 at 11:03am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete It really depends on your amp and speakers. For my setup, no passive unit can make it sound right due to low sensitivity on both amp and speakers.
pubul57 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,712 posts 10-28-2008 at 02:32am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Ralph, is "controlling the interconnect" impedance matching or something else?