Passive Pre - No Regrets?

Mr.Sphere true this is a audio site, hopefully for all not just what's considered High end because it cost a certain price. Maybe we're thinking the same thing just from different perspectives.

I like absolute transparency not at the expense of being musical. I want to hear every change in the system. When I change tubes in equipment,cables,dacs,etc.. I want to hear it. I have achieved this without breaking the bank.

Every system has a flavor to it from the mixing of the components. Changing one piece will change this flavor.
I personally find it far fetched that any componenet doesn't have a flavor. If there wasn't a flavor for each component, we would all listen too and like the same equipment. I haven't heard a capacitor that sounded the same as another. I haven't played with them all..but quite a few. The same with tubes..come on..I know you have a favorite type tube for your equipment... most designers do. Give up the goods!LOL

Just look at the post here on the GON and what people ask for. It's not the sound of water I can guarantee that.

Maybe we should start another discussion. I like keeping you busy. ;-)

All the Best

Pubul57, I understand where your coming from. I like the preamp to be as you describe.I can add my flavor in other parts of the chain.Even guys that won't admit it have a flavor they prefer.Whether SS or Tubes or anything in between.

Good listening

Man, it's nice to see a reasonable discussion about this topic that doesn't plunge into the ditch with personal attacks and such. I also like the insight into the design philosophy of 'sphere. Since I happen to agree, I'm now inclined to give their stuff a listen.

Obviously off topic, I've often thought that speaker companies could simply describe how they voice their speakers and save me a lot of trouble. I suppose this could be said with design philosophy of almost all gear. Save the marketing jargon and tell me what you consider important in the design.

I tried the RVC as a remote volume control for the CAT, the CAT sounds the same, or at least I can't tell the difference.I think the RVC is worth the price just as a remote volume control with no apparent harm to the CAT. If you own the CAT you know you need/want some finer volume settings. This RVC has me wondering about their active linestage. I'm thinking that much of what I like about the Placette might be attributed to the volume control itself (and address some of Atmasphere's concerns or issues with passives) Who has made the change from the passive Placette to the active? What were your impressions? How does this active Placette compare with great tube units (CAT, Joule, Atmasphere, First Sound, BAT, CJ, Lamm, etc). I'm especially interested if you have made the move from your beloved tube models to the Placette, and have had no regrets.

Started with a Bent Audio NOH (passive TVC, silver) and upgraded to latest Bent Audio TAP (TVC, silver). As Fazoid has observed, it was the best move I have made. When I recently swapped an active preamp, I knew just what made the TVC so special! If transparency and sonic purity is what you desire, the TVC is the way to go! I hear that the Promitheus TVC (Malaysian manufacture) sounds really good (I have no doubt) and comes with an attractive price tag. For those hesitating, it does not cost much to give TVCs a try. Once you are convinced, the convenience of the Bent Audio TAP (not to mention its beautiful futuristic look) is worth considering. I hear that Music First has entered into a deal with a Bent Audio to carry the TAP under the MF namesake. I also believe that John Chapman (real gentleman and genius, creator of TAP) is still offering the TAP under the Bent Audio badge for a few more weeks before the price goes up under the MF badge.

Denjo