2. amps-preamps
  3. 1268737214

Who is using passive preamps and why?

Seldom has there been any discussions on passive preamps in the forums and although my experience with them has been limited I have found them so far to be very enjoyable and refreshingly different. They seem to fall into their own category, somewhere between solid state and tube. Finding a preamp that is satisfing has been difficult. Some active solid state preamps can be very good but they seem to inject grain to some degree in the upper registers and some tube preamps are not too far behind. So far I think they should at least be matched up with an amp that has sufficient gain which is often overlooked. Which passives are you using and with what amp? Why do you like them?
phd
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
I am using the Sonic Euphoria PLC simply because it has beaten every 5K and under active preamp I have tried:

Lamm
deHavilland
CJ
Art Audio
Cary
Audible Illusions

It is more natural and less electronic sounding than any active I have heard.

Shakey
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Has anyone tried Jeffrey Jackson's designs? I like the retro look. I imagine it has to sound awfully close to the BENT-TAP-x with autoformer. Sonic Euophoria is an autoformer as well, it I remember.
phd OP
1,285 posts
 
I think I speak for everyone and appreciate the link to Jeffrey Jackson, very interesting concept. Somewhat unconventional, definately not the prettiest looking design but isn't that the kind of gear that usually sounds good!
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
I had the TAP-X and although it didn't float my boat, I can see what all the fuss was about. I preferred the Sonic Euphoria because it seemed more natural, while the TAP seemed more hi-fi like.

Shakey
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Was your Tap-X was S&B transformer or Slagle autoformer?
More to discover