I guess we will not, nor can we. resolve the issues of what is best, and if the LSA is better than Product X, Y, or Z, and the try to deal with the issue of what "better" means and in what context. Maybe if the Subject were: Lightspeed Attenuator - Worth a Try...." we would be closer on the subject. BUt. I think we all understand that how good we think the LSA versus other great line stages will depend on the amp it is used with and other factors, and the kind of sound we like, which we are perfectly entitled to, and isn't worth arguing about, that is fruitless and can turn personal which would be ridiculous.
Perhaps the issue of active versus passive, and when one approach would be preferable is a more interesting technical subject - for example Ralph Karsten seems to often that the real issues is controlling the preamps ability to control the interconnect, and even then I think he admits it is more of an issue if you have the need to run long interconnects. On the other hand, he makes very good linestages and is never going to say you don't need an active linestage, I would not expect that of him. In fact, I think his amps do benefit from an active linestage with some gain.
These discussion are interesting for folks that love the hobby and gear. For my non-audiophile brother who just wants to listen to music, I would tell him to get the LSA/RM10 combo for less than $2,500, a speaker that can be driven by 35 watts, and feel comfortable that I gave him very good advice in building an excellent, affordable system.
Perhaps the issue of active versus passive, and when one approach would be preferable is a more interesting technical subject - for example Ralph Karsten seems to often that the real issues is controlling the preamps ability to control the interconnect, and even then I think he admits it is more of an issue if you have the need to run long interconnects. On the other hand, he makes very good linestages and is never going to say you don't need an active linestage, I would not expect that of him. In fact, I think his amps do benefit from an active linestage with some gain.
These discussion are interesting for folks that love the hobby and gear. For my non-audiophile brother who just wants to listen to music, I would tell him to get the LSA/RM10 combo for less than $2,500, a speaker that can be driven by 35 watts, and feel comfortable that I gave him very good advice in building an excellent, affordable system.