Are passive preamps better?

Hi Arnett, You should give Arn Roatcap at Goldpoint a call if you are looking for some good info on passive preamps and stepped attenuators. I have spoken to him several times and he was quite helpful and great to deal with. The attenuators he sells are quite nice you would be very happy with the quality. I have the newer SMD and the older ladder type with Vishay resistors. I will at some point change the potentiometers in my Marchand bassis with them, I have stepped attenuators in my Marchand crossover. So dont forget, even if you don't use a passive preamp you still need to talk to Arn if your preamp does not use quality stepped attenuators, No Pots.

Just remember your system does need to be "set up" for passives to work, There are several parameters to think about and to address properly before passives can obtain synergy with your system. Only then can you make an informed decision on them.
Bob.

Tomryan, why do you use the RVC between the Joule and amp? What does that gain you? I use to use the RVC with a CAT pre, but that was becasue the volume gradations were so large on the CAT, I needed the RVC for accurate volume control. And I agree, the RVC did not alter the sound of the CAT as far as I could tell, but the CAT sounded way better than the RVC alone.

Thanks. I'll follow up on all this. Bob, I get parameters from www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0102/pr
Interesting website which relates well to this discussion. Will also give Arn a call at some point. Lynne

I've run source directly to amp, not so good, but that was more likely due to a cheap source. I've run a couple of passive systems, good. The last few years have all been active, a bit better.
Passive systems can be really good, but takes a complete dedicated system approach. You can't just slip in a passive pre, and expect it to work. Everything from source, to cables, to amp, the location of all the gear and the lengths of the cables matter a lot. It takes a lot more effort and reduces your options to make a passive system work well. In the end one has to decide if its all worth it. BTW, the way under appreciated Reference Line passive pre's and power amps are IMHO in the top handfull of gear. I've heard them in many different set ups (though for the life of me, I can't remember the details of even one now?) and not only have they never dissapointed, but, have always drawn me in and impressed.

All that "effort" just sounds interesting to me. I'm probably suited to it. Ordered the Endler attenuators. Fun-looking toys.