Best Line Stage Preamp?

Gregm, to better qualify my statements about the Ayre k3-x.

I should note that I was unaware at the time that Ayre puts multiple 'Ayre Conditioners' strategically throughout the frequency spectrum.

Since I was unaware of this, I was using my Foundation Research LC-1 passive in-line power conditioner attached to the Ayre.

It's usually a big no-no to double up on line conditioners of different manufacturers anyway.

That could explain some of the coloration and suck out in the midrange. But I'm not certain why it was not that resolving unless it is the same reason.

-IMO

Naderson makes a very good point about transparency. I got hooked on passives when someone loaned me a Creek OBH12 and it made music more real than my current pre-amp at that time, a $2,000.00 tube type. That was at least 6 years ago and I have tried a number of pre-amps since and am more than satisfied with the Placette and it's ability to just let the music happen. However, Nanderson states that music making is the most important thing and hopefully all of us would agree. Try everything at least once and stick with what plants you in the music chair most solidly night after night.

I am curious and I'm not looking for confrontation here. As I've never listened to a passive pre and althought I hear from others is that the transparency is usually quite good, the dynamics are most always weak at best.

In fact, as I recall, I believe Guy Hammel, owner of Placette, claims that the majority of his active linestage customers are current/previous owners of his passive pre's.

I'd be interested to hear what others have to say about the macro-dynamics associated with these passive pre's.

Especially when one claims it's all about the music.

-IMO

Get thee to a McIntosh dealer and listen to a C-15 or similar. Pretty awesome and rock solid--, the last one you will ever have to buy. buy a McIntosh switched power outlet and you are ready to go.

I am using a highly modified Bottlehead Foreplay with my KR Antares and I have no complaints. Just for a comparison, I have ordered a Luminous Audio Axiom passive preamp. It is quite inexpennsive ($125) and is supposed to be a very good passive but it only has one set of inputs/outputs. I will most my comments on the two preamps in a few weeks.