Passive Pre-amp: Improves overall sound quality??

Atmasphere, Anyone who spends $10,000 on an IC has a problem no pre-amp can cure. :)

Here's my recipe for building a system around a TVC: Start with a source capable of 4V output (XLR) with output impedance below 100 ohms. Amps (Plinius) have 38dB gain in balanced mode. Genesis 350 speakers are anything but shy for bass and slam. Easily capable of concert level SPL's. I have cheap cables.

Brownsfan, I think I agree with you; I have seen this, but really I used that example to make the point but it was also something I had experienced (BTW the person that had those cables was ecstatic that he was able to sell them and actually have better sound at the same time).

Atmasphere, I am not sure I understand the "5. = control the effect of the ic" if it isn't already included in the 4. ie the low output impedance sees the ic's impedance+amps input imp.