Are passive preamps better?

Eldartford, 600 ohms may be tough, but not impossible. We developed a direct-coupled output, not unlike our power amps, to do the job. I think our MP-1 might one of the few preamps that can drive headphones directly as a result.

Tbg, I've had direct experience with the older Cello stuff. It doesn't seem that it was designed with 600 ohms in mind.

Good thing I re-read. Atmasphere's discussion of a preamps inability to control the cable. I reconnected the preamp, but this time I ran the variable output to the preamp in. The sound is improved over the fixed output. Maybe that's because the signal running through that circuit with pot changed the impedence--or resistance or capacitance or inductance--that the preamp cannot control. You have to tune the preamp with cable or any other means you can think of. Yes? ( Atmasphere says that degradation of sound quality at lower listening levels is the same issue, which I thought must be sensitivity. I got that). This might be the most important thing I've learned so far. Lynne

Geez, I can't believe people still talk about 600 ohms for any reason. No offense, but that went out with disco...

Interconnects are very important w/passives. Especially where HF is concerned. Keep them as short as possible. In my system however it sounds fine at low volume. In fact I find the HF better at lower volume. This could be due to the extra headroom on my LF amp. I use a Placette resitor ladder. My only source these days is a CDP w/2.5 VRMS@ 50ohms. I feed two amps: both CJ SS w/100K input impedance and the same gain although one is 100WPC (HF) and the other 250WPC (LF) My gear has fairly ideal values for a passive setup which is critical.

I think it is well established that I don't know anything, but if the analogue components could control the cable, then we could not hear the cable. But there is a whole industry based on the fact that cables have a sound. I never understood the reason for this.
I think I'm giving up on the passive linestage for now. Electroid, if you have the ideal components, I think mine are the worst. I've got 1.1V sensitivity@22kohn. And both my players are 2V@10kohm. Not logical. My disposable income went with the stock market, so I'm not in the mood to do a lot of experimenting right now. But I've learned a lot and that's just as much fun. Lynne