One of Nelson's favourites it seems that he thinks highly of, was the Aleph L preamps, really different because it takes the best of both worlds and joins them together.
It's a quality passive pre, but as the volume goes higher once it gets to 3 o'clock or higher it slowly turns into active pre for more gain if you need it for low gain poweramps or inefficient speakers. I've had searches out for a used one, but none of the owner ever sell them.
Nelson Pass
" I don't know why this invention didn't bring me fame
and fortune, but who can explain it.....
At the 3 o’clock volume control position, the Aleph L offers a direct path from input to output.
The only component in the signal path is wire and switch contacts.
At positions below 3 o’clock, the volume control functions as a precision passive attenuator using discrete resistor ladders.
Above 3 o’clock, active gain is added to the output signal in 2 decibel increments, for amaximum of 10 dB.
As a result, you suffer the effects of active circuitry only when additional gain is necessary."
Cheers George