Seems then all the high end preamps, tube or SS, costing up to $100,000 that are not passive, just can't get it right? Or should I say as right as a passive?
Grannyring
Well, I think there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Let's just say designers have their preferences just like the audiophiles that buy their equipment. What's "right" for one may not be "right" for another. Also, designing something that makes you stick out like a sore thumb, regardless of the quality is always riskier, and in many cases less profitable. Especially when your peers are following a certain formula and marketing hype (eiher from reviewers, manufacturers, or other "experts") is telling the public what their expectations should be. This is not specific to home audio either.
Now I'm really going to throw one out there. These designers that market uber expensive amps. How would it come across from the consumer perspective if they matched it with an inexpensive little preamp? Bearing in mind that us consumers, regardless of whether it's audio components, cars, etc. have certain expectations for how $$$$$ translates into perceived quality or perhaps more accurately, status. IMO, these designers wouldn't be taken so seriously. In much the same way as if Ferrari came out and said you don't need top of the line Pirelli's on our cars, we're now going to supply generic Acme Brand tires and all will still be the same. Really?
Let's assume my active preamp is more noisy then the LSA. If it outperforms the passive in many other areas, then it may still be a preamp truer to the recording. Benefits outweigh the short comings kind of thing.
Grannyring
Again, there are specific definitions and preferences in play here, but this is precisely the point.
The truer to the recording thing aside, I'll give a personal equipment example. I've been playing around with a Transcendent Sound T-16 OTL. No one could ever confuse this amp with the term "graveyard quiet." First, there is a low noise upgrade option for it. That in and of itself should tell you something. Second, its pretty well documented that the layout of the wiring does cause some noise issues, and its slightly louder in one channel than another (and we're talking just at the speaker, not out into the listening room/position just in case anyone was wondering). The designer took some measures to rectify this as best as possible, but even he will admit the amp is not dead silent and doesn't apologize for it. In the end he replies with a simple question, "So how does it sound?" Indeed it sounds great, the benefits far outshine the shortcomings.
Ralph Karsten designs his amps to be used with an active linestages and while I've used mine with the LSA I will say it sounds better matched up with The Truth preamp I have that uses active buffers, and the Berning Micro ZOTL that is a true active preamp design. The LSA matches up much better with the Music Reference RM-10 and VAC Auricle Musicblocs.
