Actually the idea that a passive is more transparent is a matter of dispute.
You have to keep in mind that a well-designed and built active will have distortion that is a tiny fraction of what it is in a power amplifier!
A passive has no distortion but is extremely prone to artifacts from the interconnect cables. This is unavoidable: it is purely a math issue and has nothing to do with the quality of the control. Anyone using a passive control knows how important it is to select the right cables for their system and to keep the cables short.
A good line stage can control the cables so well that they become moot insofar as the system sounds.
The bottom line has to do with budget and audition. If it works for you that is what is important.
You have to keep in mind that a well-designed and built active will have distortion that is a tiny fraction of what it is in a power amplifier!
A passive has no distortion but is extremely prone to artifacts from the interconnect cables. This is unavoidable: it is purely a math issue and has nothing to do with the quality of the control. Anyone using a passive control knows how important it is to select the right cables for their system and to keep the cables short.
A good line stage can control the cables so well that they become moot insofar as the system sounds.
The bottom line has to do with budget and audition. If it works for you that is what is important.
