2. amps-preamps
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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
rrog
1,958 posts
 
I believe there is a problem with a source component being required to drive the amplifier and thereby loading the power supply of the source. Active preamps are designed to drive the power amp, not the source.
phd OP
1,285 posts
 
Ig31b, don't ever make the mistake I made. I sold my upgraded McCormacks. Since then it was like being adrift in a vast ocean never reaching a land mass. You have in the realm of solid state, the best possible sound.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Phd, I'm sure the McCormack gear is wonderful, but Nelson Pass and Charles Hansen have some pretty good sounding SS gear.
herman
2,222 posts
 
Rrog, just because you tried numerous times doesn't mean you ever tried a combination that was suitable for the purpose. There is absolutely no reason a source component can't have an output stage that is capable of driving an amp directly and many do. Having a 7 Volt output is only part of the story since it could also have a high output impedance and therefore be incapable of properly driving a low impedance passive and/or amp. No disrespect intended but statements like yours which fail to properly explore all of the facets involved and dismiss topologies which are proven to work when properly implemented only add to the confusion of those who are trying to get the big picture.

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cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I have friends who have been using attenuators since the 80s, and will never go back to an active preamp-and they have access to mega buck gear. I just bypassed my preamp with my cd player and will (probably)never add a preamp again. System synergy is key-as it always is. Most of the passives I have seen have a liberal trial policy. Impedance and output voltages, length of cables, etc., are key.
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