Why Do We Use Preamps?

1. to match impedances between source and power amplifier
2. to control the volume between source and power amplifier

I have gone both the passive and the active route. In theory, your are correct that a passive should give greater purity and transparency. And I do hear that with a passive, but I also think it comes at a cost.

The music loses some oomph, weight, drive and robustness. It can get bleached and thin and somewhat threadbare compared to an active. Personally, I prefer active cause I think it makes the music sound more real and alive.

And please don't say I got these results because I did the passive thing wrong. I followed all the rules: short low capacitance IC, impedance matching, amp highly sensitive on the input, gutsy source output, etc.

Others may hear differently and prefer differently. I'm sure anyone can hear the active vs. passive differences. Then it just comes down to subjective preference. Just use your own ears and decide for yourself.

Thanks Theo for posting a thoughtful response. No offense, Unsound.

Ryan

So if the goal is to add more depth and clarity to the sound, would it then serve almost the same purpose as a tube buffer, or maybe even a separate full-sized amp with gain control that you use further up the chain? Could you daisy-chain 2 or 3 pre-amps together?

Ryan, no offense intended or taken.