Agree with Ozzy, passive in a system that takes advantage of it's (passive) advantages is very hard to beat.
I had a passive (using S&B trannies) also and the sound quality was steller in every area.
A system/room change led to much less than ideal conditions for the passive so I sold it and moved back to active.
I wound up going to my first tubed active pre-amp (Audioprism Mantissa) as I could not find an active SS design I could afford... or listen to for very long...outstanding mid-range quality will spoil you and is something the passive brought to my system...much like the almost passive Mantissa does.
Dave
I had a passive (using S&B trannies) also and the sound quality was steller in every area.
A system/room change led to much less than ideal conditions for the passive so I sold it and moved back to active.
I wound up going to my first tubed active pre-amp (Audioprism Mantissa) as I could not find an active SS design I could afford... or listen to for very long...outstanding mid-range quality will spoil you and is something the passive brought to my system...much like the almost passive Mantissa does.
Dave