Are passive preamps better?

When I asked the question, the passive seemed more logical to me. Now the active seems more logical. I'm sure I will experiment when I have the opportunity. I think the 7.1 is probably 22k (just got in from delivering a calf and am too lazy to look it up). H/k usually is although this one is Madrigal. Thanks for the interesting disscussion. Will research Placette and Manley and Joule for sure. Don't stop. It's very interesting. Lynne

I have Wyetech Topaz 211 tube mono amps and had the Placette pre in my system for several months and although I appreciate what it does , it was a sheer pleasure to replace it with a good active ( Audion 2-box linestage ).
The music is now alive with lots of impact .

Hello, I have been using a passive preamp for the last eight years or so and had tried them prior to that. I was also trying SS and tube preamps till the passive "won" the contest for me. No loss of dynamics or sonics but improved clarity and resolution with decreased noise and colorations.

I have no need for switching as I only use a TT, though that is possible with a passive, I use "naked" attenuators (no switching). Why add unnecessary gain, colorations, expense, complication and noise if you dont need the gain?

Now it is active 12 to passive 7. Not as terribly lopsided as one would think.

Bob

I have tried five different passive units. Initially, I am always struck by the purity of the passives, but when I put in a quality active, I end up selling the passives. They have no pace or dynamics of live music. I seem, however, to be the exception in that I have had a solid state line stage for the last five years, the H-Cat P-12. Repeatedly, I have tried tube preamps, which I had always preferred, but always come back to the H-Cat.

BTW, I failed to note in my post above, I have been using a Wadia direct to an amp and one thing has become clear from my experimenting with it thru a passive and active line stage. The active line stage was additive and the passive was subtractive (better or worse is not the issue as that depends on the tonal/sonic quality preferences of the listener). If the synergy is right for you, and you're into digital this could be the way to go.

Probably obvious and redundant for most here. FWIW.