Are passive preamps better?

Of course "great gain, improved dynamics, vivid contrast and improved bandwidth" is not distortion. But these do not "enhance" (add to) the input signal. They preserve it. Anything added is distortion.

Inaccurate, a preamp always adds something to the signal, it's an amplifier. The question becomes one of improved sound or not.

Albertporter...Just as tube circuits are known to modify the incomming signal by generating harmonics which some think are pleasant, I am suggesting that the extra circuitry of an active preamp may be doing the same thing.

Tube or transistor, both add to the signal, nothing is perfect. It then becomes a question, do the benefits outweigh the negatives?

I will show my ignorance (more of it). If impedences are an issue with passive preamps, then are they also with active preamps? Lynne

Sure. Especially when you match most tube pre-amps with SS amps. One must be careful to make sure the pre-amps output impedence is sufficiently low to properly drive SS amps which often have low imput impedences.

Forgot to mention--yes, I'm exclusively digital, if that matters. Lynne

Good question.

You bet impedance is an issue, actually the issue when pairing a pre and an amp. Impedance matching - or mismatching - between the pre output and amp input is the key to a successful pairing or two boxes that just aren't happy together... Call it synergy =)

A great deal can be found on the subject by those both more technical and erudite then I am - all I can contribute is that its great when it happens and noticeably not great when it doesn't. T'aint no subtle or illusory thing.