Straight wire and gain linestage?

I think you may be able to work with a Passive Transformer Volume Control [TVC] in terms of impedance matching, and some have 6db of gain. That will be as close as you can get to straight wire with gain.

Bob, Did you mean LEAD? Lynne

The units from Promethius seem to be in the price range; their top of the line mono-dual box units are about $1100.

Hi, Pubul. I found your thread where you talked about the K & K. I found the Prommitheus. It's probably what I should get. I thought I should check out gain stages first. I'm sort of a doubter now on the passives. But the tvc might work. Lynne ( I found the ELAD. There is also a Lead.)

Arnettpartners, I'm not sure a TVC will work for you, but I am positive it will be far better than most any other active anywhere near the price - but you do have match the system well, a bit less of an issue with a TVC that other passives. Another issue is input sensitivity of the amp and the volatage output of the source. In my system all those issues work well, and my passive TVC is one heck of a great pre, competitive [better] with some mighty fine actives I've had in my system from CAT, Lamm, and Joule.