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Poll - Active vs. Passive preamp

Thought it might be interesting to see who's using a passive vs. active linestage. List your total system value and/or components as well.

Have been enjoying a Supratek for about 8 months now. It is indeed a killer unit. Today, for kicks, I put the Prometheus TVC back in the system - it is pretty astounding how good it sounds at 1/10th the cost. I was very impressed (again). I'll withhold further comments.

I'd previously concluded that almost all really good higher-end systems use an active linestage. I wonder how true that statement is.
paulfolbrecht
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Active preamp for me, ARC Ref 3. I've tried the passive route a couple times, and admit sometimes that their transparency can be initially impressive. However, I always wind up going back to the active route because I miss the body and rythmatic drive of the msuic that they can produce, especially tube preamps.

John
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Active preamp. Heard my CD player through a passive, several weeks ago. No thanks (tinny, two-dimensional, no dynamics).
clio09
3,354 posts
 
You can see my system components here:

http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/7245.html

I didn't take the time to add it up properly, but without including the cost of cables the system I have runs about $20k MSRP.

My preamp consists of S&B TX-102 MkI transformers implemented as a TVC and built for me by Kevin Carter at K&K Audio. This replaced a Joule Electra LA-100 MkIII in my system, a preamp which I am very fond of as it is extremely musical. I find it very hard to go back to an active preamp, although I probably will for a change of pace and to hear the differences.
pawlowski6132
592 posts
 
I'm running an "Extreme" passive. I'm using a pair of shotgun style attenuators which reside between my interconnects and the amp. That way, I can avoid having to add another pair of interconnects to my system (extra capacitance - not good with passives) and still have the volume control. I only have one source so, I don't need switching.
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